Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Staging for Success!

 I talked about pricing recently and although it is so critical to be priced right when you are trying to sell your property it goes hand in hand with staging! Most of us have watched some of the many shows about staging on HGTV or DIY. To be honest I am somewhat addicted to home improvement and staging shows! To keep it simple staging is really about putting your best foot forward as they say! First impressions are lasting impressions and you only have a few seconds to grab a buyer's attention so don't just stage the inside of your house. Evaluate the outside! The list below offers you a few staging tips to help you make a great first impression!

  • Pay attention to your landscaping. Is it attractive or boring? You need some pops of color not just plain shrubbery. Add a decorative flag. Put some nice pots on the front porch with a variety of plants. You can pick up "color bowls" at your garden center if you need some help in this department.
  • Freshen up the mulch or pine needles in your beds. Make sure your beds are weed free!
  • If you have large trees in your front yard trim the lower branches so prospective buyers can actually see the front of your home rather than just see the trees.
  • Add a nice welcome mat at your front door.
  • Wash your windows inside and out. Make them shine and let the light in!
  • Sweep and pressure wash the entrance to your house.
  • Once inside deal with the clutter and excess or too large furniture. You may want to consider storing some of your treasures until after your house sells.
  • Depersonalize -- buyer's need to be able to picture themselves living there!
  • Inspect your house and repair those minor issues that you have adapted to "living with". We all have them, however buyers don't want to start off in their new home with those issues!
  • Do a "sniff test". Remember smells don't sell. Strong food odors, cigarette smoke, and pet odors are big negatives to prospective buyers.
  • Clean your ceiling fans and light fixtures.
  • Make sure all vents are clean, especially the air return and filter! When buyers see issues like dirty filters they feel your house is not very well maintained.

Obviously this is not a complete list but when you take this information to heart it will definitely help you to make a great first impression. With all the competition out there it is critical to stage for success!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Price to Sell, Not Sit!

In today's real estate market correct pricing is more critical than it has ever been! There is so much competition out there! Homes that are not priced correctly are languishing on the market causing homeowners to be frustrated and stressed out over the lack of showings and lack of offers.
You may find the checklist below helpful when trying to determine the right list price for your home.
  • Review comparable sales with your agent. Use that information to help determine the correct price NOT how much you think you have to have from the sale of your home. Sometimes that number can be a hard pill to swallow. If you want your home to sell you have to face reality!

  • Look at your home with the "eyes of a buyer".  Be honest with yourself regarding the condition of your property. Anything less than excellent condition means you cannot expect to get top dollar unless you plan to put money into your home to prepare it for sale.
  • Want a faster sale? Then expect to price your home below full market value. Positioning your home anywhere from 10% - 30% below market value will help to generate a faster sale.
  • Location! Location! Location!  This weighs heavily into pricing. If the area around you has declined over the years and neighboring properties appear to be poorly maintained then you cannot expect to sell quickly or for top dollar. You can change the price and condition but you are stuck with your location so make sure you price your home accordingly.
In closing, trust your real estate professional to provide you with the appropriate guidance when putting your home on the market. They have access to information regarding your competition, what other homes in your neighborhood or area have sold for, and how long it is taking homes to sell. Your agent also has the education, skills,and experience necessary to help you make an informed decision regarding price. Trust your agent when they tell you that when you are overpriced buyers will not look at your home let alone make offers. Price your home to sell, not sit!

Don't Sit on the Fence! Own it!

The dream of homeownership is still very much alive and with rates still at historic lows it is definitely time for buyers to buy rather than "sit on the fence"!

**Homes are More Affordable - Current housing prices in many markets are down 27% on average across the nation from peak values 5 years ago and the Spartanburg/Greenville market is still one of the more affordable places to buy!

** Rates are Low - 30 year fixed rates continue to be lower than they have been in years!

** Homeownership is still the American Dream - Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say home ownership is an important part of the American Dream!

**Financing is available - With low downpayment options as long as you have a stable work history and sufficient income, good credit, and reasonable debt ratios you may qualify for the home of your dreams!

Now is the time to buy your dream home and quit "sitting on the fence"! With rates this low your buying power may enable you to buy in a higher price range than in the past. Call now and find out how to get started on the path to home ownership - still the American Dream!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Spartanburg Real Estate: Buyers! Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse!

Spartanburg Real Estate: Buyers: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse!




Beautiful Home for Sale 
In Boiling Springs


Great Starter Home for Sale
in Spartanburg

Home for Sale In Spartanburg 
In  Convenient Location

Spartanburg Home for Sale
In Historic Beaumont


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have been in real estate here in the Spartanburg SC area for over 12 years now and it never ceases to amaze me when buyers do not want to get preapproved! They want to go look at homes for sale and WHEN they find the right one then they will get preapproved! Now, I suppose that makes perfect sense to them, however it is "putting the cart before the horse" as that old expression goes! Buyers, if you are reading this and recognize yourselves, please keep reading as I share why this does not make sense.

  • Have you looked at your credit report lately? There could be something there that needs to be cleared up before you can buy that home for sale you have fallen in love with!
  • How much debt do you have? You may need to look at a different price home than you think you need to be looking at! Your debt ratios may prevent you from going as high you might like!
  • Is your employment situation really permanent? Quite often you cannot get approved for a mortgage if you are a temp or a contract worker.
  • Did you recently buy a new vehicle with a big new car payment to match? Could affect those debt ratios!
  • Did you change jobs recently and now you work in a totally different field? You might need to wait a little longer!
  • Past foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy? Usually need at least 3 years of really good credit history before you can buy again.
  • Have you applied for alot of credit recently? Lots of inquiries can affect your scores!
  • Any recent late payments? Many loans require a 12 month history of no late payments.

Buying a home is NOT like buying a car! Make sure you get preapproved before going out to look at homes in Spartanburg and make sure you find qualified professionals to help you every step of the way. The home buying process can be lots of fun, but also can be stressful with lots of possible landmines along the way when you go it alone!

So, remember, don't put the cart before the horse!
Please feel free to contact me for help and visit my website at http://www.sellingupstatesc.net/.

Happy House Hunting for that perfect home!!
 
 
 

Linda Rademacher
864-909-2500

 
 
 
 
 
Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated

Thursday, May 5, 2011


Spartanburg Spring Fling 
May 6, 7, 8  2011
Downtown Spartanburg


It’s that time  again!  Time for Spartanburg’s most popular street festival! Spring Fling.  This popular Spartanburg Downtown Festival has been  drawing crowds for over 30 years and has something to offer every member of your family.  From Arts and Crafts Vendors to live entertainment by Local and National Musicians this festival showcases the best of Spartanburg! When it comes to music whether you are a little bit country, a rock ‘n roller, into pop rock, blues, gospel, alternative rock, R&B, or jazz you will find a band for you!  One of the concerts on Sunday will be the 2009 “American Idol” winner Kris Allen.
Many other activities and types of entertainment will be offered such as the Disc Connected K-9s ( a professional dog and Frisbee show), a classic car show,

and a professional bicycle race -  The Spartanburg Regional Classic that features top cyclists from all over the world.  The races are presented by Partners for Active Living. and have become popular events.

Another new addition to Spartanburg Spring Fling is The Underground which will feature  inter-active gaming and a texting competition.

On Sunday  (Mother’s Day)  there will be a Mother  Daughter Look-A-Like Contest and a Scavenger Hunt with $1000. worth of prizes for someone’s lucky mother!
And of course there will plenty of  food  and drink vendors so you can indulge in typical festival food or more gourmet menu items.
General Admission is free and there is ample parking in Downtown Spartanburg. Festival hours are 6 pm—10 pm on Friday, 11 am– 9 pm on Saturday, and 1 pm -  7 pm on Sunday.
So come on out and enjoy the 33rd Annual Spring Fling in Downtown Spartanburg!


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Spartanburg Real Estate: Parade of Homes!

Spring Parade of Homes is coming soon! Homes all around Spartanburg will be open on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 from 2 pm - 5 pm each afternoon.

Whether you are looking for your dream home, gathering decorating ideas, trying to find the right agent to market your home, or just want to see what the inside of some homes look like there will be lots of homes open!

I will be featuring Beaumont Mill Village which is now a Local Historic District on the Parade of Homes and will have 5 homes open!

408 Gentry St
442 Gentry St
443 Gentry St
115 Phifer Dr
693 Maywood St

Please stop by to visit these homes and find out more about Spartanburg's rich history that is tied to the textile industry. There will be members of the Beaumont Neighborhood Association on hand to share with you just how much this neighborhood means to them!

For more information please contact me at Linda.Rademacher@century21.com or 864-909-2500.

And visit my website at http://www.sellingupstatesc.net/

Spartanburg Real Estate: So Do You Really Want To Buy A Short Sale?

In today's world of real estate there are many opportunities for good deals. Foreclosures, motivated sellers, and short sales are examples of some of those opportunities. For those of you who may not have heard the term "short sale", a simple explanation is that a homeowner is trying to sell their home for less than what they owe their lender and are asking them to accept that lesser amount and also cover the expenses associated with the sale. On the surface that may sound as if it should be really simple, however it is much more involved than you the buyer may realize. I have handled numerous short sales in the Spartanburg area, many before most agents even knew what a short sale was. Over the 12+ years that I have helped people to buy and sell homes I have managed to handle some short sales successfully, some unsuccessfully and have found them to be difficult, challenging, frustrating, and rewarding! Rewarding because homeowners who desperately want to sell their home as a short sale rather than go through a foreclosure are extremely appreciative of their agent helping them through such a stressful time in their lives. It is critical that short sale agents be compassionate, empathetic, and sympathetic, as well as being a good listener! Unfortunately, bad things happen to good people and any of us could end up on the verge of losing our homes!

As a buyer there are things that you need to understand about short sales.
  • Rule # 1 -- Patience, patience, patience! Do not expect daily or even weekly updates! Your agent cannot make loss mitigators or negotiators communicate with them. Quite often the attitude is "when we have anything to tell you you will hear something. When you don't hear anything then we have no news!" This is not your agent's attitude so please understand when there is no news it is not for lack of concern or effort on your agent's part.

  • Understand if you need to be in a house in 30 or 60 or even 90 days then attempting to buy a short sale may not be for you! Short sales can take months sometimes! When you start to get impatient remember Rule # 1!!

  • The process is so much more involved than you and possibly even your agent realizes. There are so many "layers of approval".  For example there is the mortgage insurance company and the investors that have to approve the sale.

  • There is lots and lots of paperwork involved! Quite often the listing agent has to send the same paperwork numerous times since there is a "black hole" that some of it disappears into!

  • Many lenders will not approve Home Warranties and quite often will limit the amount of closing costs on a short sale.

  • Quite often short sales are "AS IS" sales. If the house does not meet your lender's requirements for financing you may either need to look at a different type of financing or move on to a different property.

  • Understand that you still need to be reasonable with your offer. Usually a short sale is already listed significantly below normal market value. Your agent can advise and counsel you as to an appropriate offer based on comparables and an evaluation of the condition of the property.  Short sale homes may have deferred maintenance issues that could affect value.

  • Every short sale is different! Sometimes the list price is approved by the lender and sometimes the listing agent is just trying to generate interest by dropping the price. Don't assume that the list price is the price the bank will approve!

  • Quite often the agents commissions ( ie: paychecks) end up being reduced by the lender even though the agents are doing alot more work to try to get this worked out for you and the seller!

  • The lender will order BPOs (Broker Price Opinions). The information that the BPO agent will primarily use will be recent sales from MLS (Multiple Listing Service).  Again as stated above be reasonable with your offer.  More than likely you will get a good deal but making a ridiculous offer will not help you to get the short sale worked out!



  • Remember - this process is just as frustrating for the seller and the agents as it is for you! Your agent wants you to get the house you want for the price and terms that work for you! The listing agent wants to get their seller out of the situation they are in without a foreclosure on their credit. There is no advantage to any of these parties to drag their feet. Basically all parties have the same goal! Everyone wants to make it to the closing table!
This is just an overview. It is not intended to be a complete list of everything involved in a short sale. Hopefully this overview will help you understand more about short sales and what is involved, and help you to appreciate the efforts of all parties involved!

After all of this if you decide to make an offer on a short sale, remember Rule # 1 - patience, patience, patience!

If I can help you or anyone you know please feel free to contact me at Linda.Rademacher@century21.com or call me at 864-909-2500.

And please visit my website at http://www.sellingupstatesc.net/

Saturday, April 16, 2011

SellingUpstateSC: Spartanburg Real Estate: IT'S OFFICIAL! Beaumont is now a Local Historic District!

SellingUpstateSC: Spartanburg Real Estate: IT'S OFFICIAL! Beaumont is now a Local Historic District!

SellingUpstateSC: Spartanburg Real Estate: Buyers: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse!

SellingUpstateSC: Spartanburg Real Estate: Buyers: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse!

Spartanburg Real Estate: Buyers: Don't Put the Cart Before the Horse!

I have been in real estate here in the Spartanburg SC area for over 12 years now and it never ceases to amaze me when buyers do not want to get preapproved! They want to go look at houses and WHEN they find the right one then they will get preapproved! Now, I suppose that makes perfect sense to them, however it is "putting the cart before the horse" as that old expression goes! Buyers, if you are reading this and recognize yourselves, please keep reading as I share why this does not make sense.

  • Have you looked at your credit report lately? There could be something there that needs to be cleared up before you can buy!
  • How much debt do you have? You may need to look at a different price home than you think you need to be looking at! Your debt ratios may prevent you from going as high you might like!
  • Is your employment situation really permanent? Quite often you cannot get approved for a mortgage if you are a temp or a contract worker.
  • Did you recently buy a new vehicle with a big new car payment to match? Could affect those debt ratios!
  • Did you change jobs recently and now you work in a totally different field? You might need to wait a little longer!
  • Past foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy? Usually need at least 3 years of really good credit history before you can buy again.
  • Have you applied for alot of credit recently? Lots of inquiries can affect your scores!
  • Any recent late payments? Many loans require a 12 month history of no late payments.

Buying a home is NOT like buying a car! Make sure you get preapproved before going out to look at homes and make sure you find qualified professionals to help you every step of the way. The home buying process can be lots of fun, but also can be stressful with lots of possible landmines along the way when you go it alone!

So, remember, don't put the cart before the horse!

Please feel free to contact me if I can help and visit my website at http://www.sellingupstatesc.net/.

Happy house hunting!!

Spartanburg Real Estate: IT'S OFFICIAL! Beaumont is now a Local Historic District!

History was made on April 11, 2011 when Spartanburg City Council passed the second and final reading regarding making Beaumont Mill Village a Local Historic District! Normally council chambers are somewhat subdued however immediately after the final reading applause broke out! Many years of hard work was finally realized.  Being situated on the "Gateway to Spartanburg", Beaumont becoming a Local Historic District  is a major victory for those of us who champion historic preservation and will definitely have a positive impact on the city of Spartanburg. There are several different types of architectural styles unique to mill villages reflected in Beaumont ranging from circa 1890 to 1946. Styles include the very simple Saddlebag style to craftsman bungalows.  There is a tremendous variety of different types of architectural styles in this community and once inside these treasures it is amazing to see the uniqueness of each of these homes. Many have the high beadboard ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and transoms over interior doorways.

I have chosen to highlight the Beaumont Mill Village for this year's Spartanburg Herald-Journal's Parade of Homes April 30 and May 1 from 2 pm to 5 pm each day. There will be 5 homes open that weekend and residents from the community will be on hand to answer questions about the rich history of the village.

You are invited to visit so you can see first hand why this village is worth preserving! I look forward to seeing you there!
Please visit my website to see more about the homes for sale in Beaumont!
http://www.sellingupstatesc.net/




Thursday, April 14, 2011

SellingUpstateSC: SellingUpstateSC: It's Official! Historic Beaumont Mill Village

SellingUpstateSC: SellingUpstateSC: It's Official! Historic Beaumont Mill Village

SellingUpstateSC: It's Official! Historic Beaumont Mill Village

SellingUpstateSC: It's Official! Historic Beaumont Mill Village

It's Official! Historic Beaumont Mill Village

History was made on April 11, 2011 when Spartanburg City Council passed the second and final reading regarding making Beaumont Mill Village a Local Historic District! Normally council chambers are somewhat subdued however immediately after the final reading applause broke out! Many years of hard work was finally realized.  Being situated on the "Gateway to Spartanburg", Beaumont becoming a Local Historic District  is a major victory for those of us who champion historic preservation and will definitely have a positive impact on the city of Spartanburg. There are several different types of architectural styles unique to mill villages reflected in Beaumont ranging from circa 1890 to 1946. Styles include the very simple Saddlebag style to craftsman bungalows.  There is a tremendous variety of different types of architectural styles in this community and once inside these treasures it is amazing to see the uniqueness of each of these homes. Many have the high beadboard ceilings, beautiful wood floors, and transoms over interior doorways.

I have chosen to highlight the Beaumont Mill Village for this year's Spartanburg Herald-Journal's Parade of Homes April 30 and May 1 from 2 pm to 5 pm each day. There will be 5 homes open that weekend and residents from the community will be on hand to answer questions about the rich history of the village.

You are invited to visit so you can see first hand why this village is worth preserving! I look forward to seeing you there!



Sunday, April 3, 2011

Spartanburg Real Estate: Beaumont Mill Village

Beaumont Mill Village is a major step closer to becoming a Local Historic District! On March 28, 2011, Spartanburg City Council met and held a public hearing. Making Beaumont Mill Village a Local Historic District was on the agenda. Martin Meeks, a respected architect who specializes in preservation of communities such as Beaumont spoke as to the study that was conducted,  the architectural styles of housing in Beaumont, and an overview of the guidelines. He and the City Planning Department went to great lengths to come up with guidelines that are realistic and would not be a major burden on property owners. No one would be expected to rehab their properties to meet these guidelines at this time. Only when the property owner is ready to make repairs or improvements would the guidelines affect what they do. There are 2 categories of types of improvements, major and minor works. The guidelines will not come into play with any interior improvements.

Stephanie Monroe with the City Planning Department also spoke about possible grant money they working on trying to make available to owner occupants to help wih improvements.

Several individuals spoke in favor of making this happen. Only 2 residents of Beaumont spoke out against the issue. One of those who spoke out felt that Beaumont had been fine all these years and that the neighborhood did not need any restrictions to dictate what people can and can't do to their property. Lewis Settle, President of the Neighborhood Association was one of the ones who spoke in favor citing concerns over preserving the vital history of the neighborhood, keeping the neighborhood safe, and not allowing the neighborhood to decline as some other neighborhoods in the city have over the years.

Other life long residents of Beaumont spoke out in favor relating positive memories of growing up in the community and of how their parents worked in the mill when it was in operation. I spoke out as a member of the real estate community in Spartanburg sharing how important it is to preserve our rich history that is tied to the textile industry and how strongly I feel that by preserving Beaumont Mill Village we will be preserving history but also will be preserving property values. In time I can envision this becoming a popular neighborhood for hospital employees and college employees due to the convenient location of Beaumont.

Spartanburg City Council Members in attendance  unanimously passed the first reading! This is an exciting time for Spartanburg and for Beaumont Mill Village! I look forward to working with buyers who have a desire to live in this community that is such an important part of our city's rich history!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Beautiful mountain views! Home Sale in Inman, SC

Beautiful Mountain Views!
Home for Sale in Inman, SC


Are you looking for a convenient location, nice lot, great neighborhood, full basement, and beautiful mountain views? Then this home may be the right one for you!

150 Grandview Dr      Inman, SC  29349
Spartanburg MLS # 191783
  • 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths
  • 2 car attached garage
  • 1.43 acre lot
  • Fenced backyard
  • Hardwood floors in many rooms
  • Split bedroom floorplan
  • Approx 2463 SF on main level
  • Approx 667 finished SF in basement
  • Workshop area in basement
  • Master bedroom with hardwood floors is approx 17 x 17
  • Huge walk in closet in master
  • Sitting room off master
  • Formal dining room and a breakfast area
So many other great features! You just need to see this beautiful home!
Offered at $285,000.
150 Grandview Dr

Grandview mtn view

Grandview DR

Grandview Dr deck view
Linda Rademacher, REALTOR, Broker Associate, GRI, ABR, e-PRO
CENTURY 21 Blackwell & Co. Realty, Inc.
2260 Boiling Springs Rd
Boiling Springs, SC  29316
864-909-2500

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Spartanburg SC Real Estate: Historic Beaumont Mill Village

Several years ago I decided to purchase a modest 2 bedroom, 1 bath bungalow in Beaumont Mill Village. Beaumont is a neighborhood located on what many consider to be the gateway to Spartanburg, SC. Beaumont is convenient to Spartanburg Regional Hospital, Converse College, Wofford College, and our thriving downtown area. Part of the old mill has been restored and the Southeastern Conference (college athletics) is based there.
Over the years the Neighborhood Association became concerned that if they didn't do something positive that their neighborhood would decline. Out of that concern was born the idea of seeking Local Historic Designation for Beaumont Mill Village. It has been a long road to travel for this Neighborhood Association, with plenty of bumps and twists and turns along the way. I wish I could say that I had been involved from the beginning but I wasn't even aware of the effort at first. As soon as I did become aware of the efforts I chose to get involved. That involvement has evolved into me attending the Association Meetings, volunteering at neighborhood events, and publishing the Beaumont Newsletter. I guess all of that makes me rather unique since I do not live in my little bungalow. Technically I am an investor since my property is tenant occupied.
The process is very involved and one of the things the city did was to have Martin Meeks, a respected architect to conduct a study and put together proposed guidelines for Beaumont. Considered to be one of the few mostly intact mill villages left in our area Beaumont is a prime candidate for historic preservation. With Spartanburg having a rich history tied to the textile industry it is important that we preserve this important part of our history.
Hopefully we are nearing the end of this journey. We are finally back on City Council's Agenda and there will be another vote on this important issue later this month after several information sessions to provide answers to questions and also to explain the process.
I firmly believe that being designated a Local Historic District will be good for Beaumont, good for the people of Beaumont, and good for property values in Beaumont. I envision Beaumont as becoming a popular neighborhood for buyers who treasure our history and want to be a part of preserving history in Spartanburg SC!

Going it alone! Is being a FSBO right for you?

Every market has its share of sellers who choose to market their home on their own rather than list with a real estate agent. In my market many of those sellers still are willing to work with real estate agents who bring buyers to see their homes, after all they are still saving money. If you plan to FSBO then do your homework first. Don't just put a sign in the yard and expect buyers to line up wanting your home, after all your home is the nicest in the neighborhood, right?!

If it were that easy all real estate agents would be rich! So much more goes into effectively marketing a property. Below are some things you as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner) need to think about before choosing to go it alone!
  • Do you have the ability to put together a marketing plan utilizing high quality, professional  marketing pieces?
  • How will you qualify the prospects who inquire about your property?
  • How will you handle showings?
  • Can you afford to purchase a website to market your home and will it get traffic?
  • Can you listen more than you talk?
  • Are you familiar with the necessary legal disclosures you are required to provide to prospective buyers?
  • Once you find the right buyer how will you handle preparation of contracts?
  • Do you know what a CL-100 Wood Infestation Report  is and do you understand what may be required by the buyer's lender?
  • Are you familiar with different types of financing and whether your property meets the requirements for financing such a FHA or USDA Rural Housing?
  • Have you considered safety?
These are just some of the things that experienced real estate agents handle when they have a property listed for sale. When you choose to be a FSBO you now have the responsibility for many of these items. Although you may choose to go it alone, make sure you have an attorney draw up the purchase contract and ask for advice from that attorney on how to handle some of the other issues regarding getting your transaction to closing. Don't totally go it alone!

Another thing to remember is that the buyer is trying to save that same real estate commission that you are trying to save! It is impossible for everyone to save the same dollar! And statistics show that most sellers net more money WHEN they are listed with a competent, knowledgable, real estate professional!
So in closing, you may want to think twice before going it alone!

Friday, March 4, 2011

No More Slipping and Sliding!

No More Slipping and Sliding!


Those who know me know that I am an animal lover, and especially love dogs. All kinds. I do prefer dogs with soft coats rather than short wiry hair. Well to be more specific my dogs! I tell them they are the best puppy dogs in the whole wide world and that I love them bunches and bunches, etc. Ok, you get the picture!  I like other people’s dogs too but it’s just not the same. Kind of like your children versus other people’s children. Actually, my dogs are my children. They just have 4 legs and can be left alone at least for a few hours without supervision. About a year and half ago my big dog, Neo, got hit by a vehicle. It scared us half to death and we are very lucky that he wasn’t hurt more seriously than he was. Ever since that happened he does not do as well on hardwood or laminate floors. He has slipped so many times and then panics and ends up hurting himself. That has evolved into him being afraid of floors! I know that sounds silly but he is. Some evenings he is afraid to go down the hallway from the den to our bedroom. We have purchased many throw rugs which have helped some but we can’t exactly cover every inch of flooring with throw rugs!


 So my husband did some investigating online and found boots for dogs! They come in sets of 4 and come in various types – for example  ones for serious hiking and ones for climates with lots of snow and ice. I am sure you know what is coming next. He ordered a set and we tried them out. When we first put them on Neo it was as if he had clown shoes on! He walked around so awkwardly and couldn’t just jump up on the couch as easily. It took some time for him to adjust to them and now he does so well with them on. He only needs them on his front paws to help him get up. The best part is that when he has his boots on he no longer slips and slides and he is not afraid of floors anymore!



Thursday, February 24, 2011

Now is the time to buy!

Now is the time to buy! Are you sitting on the fence, not sure if now is the time to buy? Interest rates are still great and there are some great programs out there to help you get into a home with a minimal investment. Contact me at Linda.Rademacher@century21.com and I will be happy to provide you with more details about various programs that may work for you. Nothing compares to the feeling of pride of owning your own home!  You need to check out the opportunities in the market today. From foreclosures, to short sales, to motivated sellers, and just some really great properties; opportunities abound. Don't wait and miss out on YOUR opportunity. Rates are creeping up and with time the selection and variety may not be as wonderful as it is today. So why wait? Now is the time to buy!