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MARCH 2021
Inside:: Inside Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
10 PRACTICAL KITCHEN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS BASED ON HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE
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2 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune list). Exterior lighting can have a dramatic effect on landscaping, and estimates from the online financial resource Kiplinger.com suggest such lighting is inexpensive, with installation averaging roughly $67 per fixture. When installing exterior lighting around their l a n d s c a p e s , homeowners can keep various tips in mind to create a relaxing, aweinspiring mood on their properties at night. • Consider uplights. Uplights are installed in the ground and direct light up at a tree, focusing on its trunk or canopy. This creates a dramatic effect that makes it possible to enjoy majestic trees at the National Association of Home Builders night just like you might when spending time found that 85 percent of home buyers want in the yard during the day. exterior lighting, making it the second most desired outdoor feature (patios topped that
Exterior lighting can add ambiance to a property Metro Editorial
The value of the right lighting in a home is undeniable. Lighting can instantly transform a room and create the ambiance homeowners are looking to establish. Though it might be mostly seen as a way to create mood inside a home, lighting also can do much for lawns and gardens. Backyards have come a long way over the last several decades. Once reserved as play areas for children and stomping grounds for the family dog, backyards have become oases for homeowners and their families. Outdoor living areas are wildly popular, and no such area is complete without exterior lighting. In fact, a recent report from
• Focus on trees. Many homeowners already have exterior lighting lining their walkways and patios, but focusing on trees can create an entirely different look. Though it’s possible to install exterior tree lighting on your own, landscaping professionals with lighting experience know which fixtures will pair most effectively with the trees around your property and how to arrange them for maximum effect. • Opt for warm light. Warm white light creates an inviting feel around the property. The exterior lighting experts at Utah Lights acknowledge that choice of lighting is up to homeowners but also note that, in situations with lower levels of ambient light, such as in exterior lights around a property, people typically prefer warmer light. That’s because warm light tends to be easier on the eyes and directs attention to the features of the landscape, which is many homeowners’ goal when installing exterior lighting in their yards. • Utilize a timer. Modern exterior lighting timers make it easier than ever to control the lights outside a home. Many such timers even adjust for the changing seasons and the shifting hours of daylight. That means homeowners shouldn’t have to tinker with the timer once it’s set. Exterior lighting can add significant appeal to a property without breaking the bank.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | March 6, 2021 | 3
Safety first when power washing your home this spring Metro Editorial
Spring cleaning is a great way for homeowners to clear their homes of clutter. As people spend extra time indoors in winter, items can quickly pile up around the house. Spring is a great time to clean up such clutter, but interior spaces are not the only areas of a home that can benefit from some extra attention once the weather warms up. Harsh winters can take a toll on home exteriors. Dirt and grime can build up on exterior home surfaces over the course of the winter, affecting the appearance of the siding of a home as well as outdoor entertaining areas. Power washing is a great way to give a home a fresh, clean look in spring. But there’s more to power than simply renting the right equipment and getting to work. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there are many risks associated with using power washers. For instance, the CDC says strong spray from
power washers can cause serious wounds that initially seem minor. However, such wounds can lead to infection or disability if left untreated. In addition, if manufacturer safety instructions are not followed, electric shock can occur due to improper use. Homeowners who are intending to power wash their own homes this spring should first determine if they’re physically capable of doing so. Power washers can be difficult for some people to control, so it’s imperative that homeowners honestly assess their physical abilities before renting a unit. The CDC urges homeowners who determine they can safely handle power washers to take these additional safety steps to make sure the process of cleaning their home exteriors goes smoothly. • Never point a pressure washer at yourself or others. • Do not attempt to push or move objects with spray from the washer. If anything is in your way, turn the power washer off and
then move the obstruction. • Never use a gasoline powered washer in an enclosed space, which can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. • Always test the ground fault circuit interrupter (circuit breaker or outlet) before using a pressure washer. • Always plug a properly grounded pressure washer into a properly grounded receptacle. • If an extension cord must be used, keep the pressure washer’s power cord connection out of and away from any standing water, and use a heavy duty extension cord with components rated for use in wet locations. Keep both the power cord and extension cord connections as far away as possible from the item being washed and away from any water runoff.
Safety continued on page 7
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4 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune of the contract.” Think you can get a higher price for the property? Then you need to make provisions before signing the contract, says Bryan Zuetel, a real estate attorney and broker with Esquire Real Estate in California's Orange County. You could, for example, insert terms in the purchase agreement that allow you, as the seller, to continue to accept offers and for the buyer to be allowed the option to match or exceed any higher offers. Buyers can also take backup offers (more on these options later). “The process is not really over until escrow closes,” Zuetel says. There are also things that can and do happen between the time a house goes under contract and the closing that may give a seller options. For example, the buyer has specific obligations called contingencies, which include things such as loan approval, home inspection, and a home appraisal. If the buyer fails to meet these contingencies by a designated date, the seller can cancel the agreement and then accept another offer. Also, various states have different rules regarding contracts. For example, in New Jersey, even after the offer is accepted and the contract is executed, it’s not fully binding until an attorney review period is completed. Attorney review allows both the buyer and the seller to have a lawyer read the contract within three business days (or extended period based on the agreement between both buyer and seller attorneys) after it is signed and to disapprove the contract or to make changes to it. “As a seller in this case, you can still accept the other or better offer as long as you are still in attorney review,” says Lukasz Kukwa, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Westfield, NJ. "Although this will cause some pushback and sometimes isn't looked at as the most ethical, a seller can legally still accept any other offer up until attorney review conclude as the deal isn't officially under contract." For the most part, though, buyers more commonly back out of contracts rather than sellers. In most cases, the sellers may have to accept the initial offer, even if they receive a better contract. “Breach of contract could lead to a lawsuit that still results in the sale to the initial contracted buyer, except with the costs of going to court reducing the profit,” says Barry Richards, a real estate agent with EXITRealty Garden Gate Team in White House, TN.
Can a home seller under contract still accept a higher offer? By Julie Ryan Evans Realtor.com
is pretty much locked into the deal. That’s why it’s so important that sellers are Congratulations, you sold your house! The confident that they want to accept an offer buyers fell in love and made an offer, and you let before signing. “As a seller, make sure you are willing to out a great, big sigh of relief when the contract accept an offer and know that you may not be was signed. Then it happens—another offer comes in, able to get out of the deal,” says John Meyers, and a better one at that. What now? Can you a real estate agent with Myers and Myers Real take the highest bid? Here's what home sellers Estate in Albuquerque, NM. “It is absolutely critical that, as a seller, you understand the need to know. purchase agreement and any counteroffers you sign. "Read the agreements to find out if you While laws vary by state, in general, up until have any outs in the contract," says Meyers. that contract is signed by both parties—even "Purchase agreements are legally binding after counteroffers have been sent out—all new agreements, and sellers need to understand offers can be considered and accepted. Once their commitments and their ability to get out both parties have signed it, however, the seller
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Can home sellers accept backup offers? The one type of offer a seller is allowed to accept while under contract with a buyer is a backup offer. A backup offer puts that buyer next in line if for any reason the original contract falls through. A backup offer puts sellers in a good position, and they should communicate to the buyer’s agent that they have one, particularly if the offer is substantially more than the original offer accepted, says Richards. He says it gives a seller leverage to, say, refuse certain requests from buyers, who might ask sellers to pay for repairs after the home inspection, make price adjustments based on the home appraisal, or allow for an extension of the closing date because of lender issues.
Should home buyers bother making a backup offer? So, if you’re a buyer and you find your dream home but it just so happens to be under contract, should you even bother to look at it? Experts say while you shouldn’t hold your breath, you don’t have to write it off completely. “It never hurts to have your buyer's agent inquire about the contract and how it is progressing,” Richards says. “Occasionally, when a contract falls through, a seller will prefer to negotiate with someone who has already done some due diligence on their property rather than going back on the market and dealing with more showings.” Whether or not to write a formal backup offer is up to the client, but Ryan Gable, CEO of StartingPoint Realty in Chicago, says in most cases they don’t suggest it, as it ties a buyer's hands and stalls their home search. “In our market [Chicago], it is generally better to continue the home search than to make a one-sided commitment to a seller who already accepted an offer. But it never hurts to keep following up on a first choice that is under contract. You've got nothing to lose, and the time investment can pay off.” But back to sellers: Yes, having more than one offer on your property is always a good problem to have, but that doesn’t always mean you can take the highest bid. Sometimes you may have to leave a few dollars on the table, but if you work closely with your real estate agent and carefully consider an offer before accepting it, you can still celebrate the fact that your property sold, and take pride in the fact that you honored the commitment you made when you accepted the original offer. Julie Ryan Evans is an editor and writer who has covered everything from politics to pop culture and beyond. She loves running, reading, cold wine, and hot weather.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | March 6, 2021 | 5
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6 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
the utility or fire department. Simply walking through your lawn near a live wire can be deadly, says Brenner. “With power lines, if you are within 10 feet or so, the electricity can actually jump to you. Electricity is looking for the easiest path to ground possible, and you become the conduit,” he By Wendy Helfenbaum Beck also finds three-prong outlets that aren’t explains. Even touching someone while they’re in Realtor.com actually grounded—a modern electrical plate contact with a live wire can electrocute you, he hides the old setup behind the wall. He suggests Pretty much everyone over the age of 5 knows spending a few dollars on an outlet tester, which adds. “Electricity is unique because you can't never to stick their fingers in an outlet or poke smell it, taste it, or see it, so it's typical for one can be found at most home centers. Extension cords are convenient, but many a fork into a toaster, but beyond that, most of us “They have indicators that tell you if the outlet person to unfortunately get killed, and then the don't really expect to suffer a serious electrical homeowners use them improperly, says Brenner. is wired correctly, and if there's an open ground second person coming in to help also gets hurt or “People think they last forever—they plug shock at home. But there's no doubt those risks killed.” exist, and it's important to be aware of electrical them in and forget them. But extension cords are or missing ground,” says Beck. And don’t ever handle the fat service entrance You may have noticed that your bathroom only intended for temporary use, which means hazards both indoors and outside. cable that goes from your electric meter to the or kitchen outlets near the sink have groundEach year, more than 300 Americans die by under 30 days,” cautions Brenner. utility, cautions Beck. fault circuit interrupters, or GFCIs. These outlets Depending on the amount of energy used, electrocution, while thousands more experience “Those were used for homes built in the nonfatal electric shock and burn injuries, extension cords can heat up and deteriorate, detect and prevent excess voltage by shutting 1960s and early '70s, and were made of cloth,” he themselves down. GFCIs can wear out over time, he adds, so avoid running them behind sofas, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation explains. “Cables of that era wear down, and I've International, a nonprofit organization in underneath beds, or, worse, inside walls—which and Beck notes that most outlet testers also have seen the conductors inside of the cable exposed a GFCI testing function. can be a fi re hazard if you drive a nail through Rosslyn, VA, that promotes electrical safety at and visible. If someone were to grab it, they could drywall and accidentally pierce that wire. home and in the workplace. potentially be shocked.” Power strips, on the other hand, don’t typically Here are some of the most common electrical have a long cord and are more robust, says hazards and how to prevent them. Brenner. But that doesn't mean you can run multiple extension cords off a power strip and Beck has seen lots of shoddy electrical repairs— leave that plugged in, he warns. often done by DIYers or local handymen— Often when the weather is nice, people want to Bradley Beck, owner of Alto Home Inspection including reverse outlet wiring, where red and be able to use electricity outside, for lighting and in Buffalo, NY, recently found three 20-foot black wires were crossed instead of being paired. It’s common to use these terms interchangeably, other amenities. But if anything, there are more extension cords strung together and hard-wired “That could lead to metal objects or lamps being but there is a life-and-death difference between to an electric garage door opener. electrified, which is super dangerous,” says Beck. risks. them, says ESFI President Brett Brenner. “If you run an extension cord outside that “They’d mounted it to the ceiling and plugged Or you might think you’re being safe when “When you say 'electrocuted,' that means it's comes in contact with the water, you can get into an outlet. Another homeowner did the same installing a ceiling fan, but accidents can happen. fatal,” explains Brenner. “But you can be shocked what's called 'electrical shock drowning.' There’s thing for a wood-burning stove with a fan built If you switch off a breaker, tell everyone in your or burned in many ways. People don't realize that household so that nobody turns it back on, which a current in the water, so when you jump in, electricity is uniquely dangerous; it can really in,” says Beck. your body locks up. You can't swim, and you can Bottom line: If you need another outlet, call can lead to your getting shocked. hurt you.” a licensed electrician and get one permanently And if you live in an older home with two-prong drown,” says Brenner. Levels of shock depend on the energy power, he Beck cautions against another huge no-no. wired and installed properly. electrical outlets, don’t assume you can snap off adds. For instance, 120-volt outlets are the norm “I've seen very long chains of extension cords the grounding pin from a three-prong plug. in North America. If you touch a wire, it will cause for decorative lights on patios and decks—even “People assume that because you can plug it a tingling sensation in your hand, but it probably in, you should, and that's just not the case,” says over a pool or hot tub, which is megadangerous,” won’t hurt you. But with 240 volts or higher, the he says. Brenner. situation can become more dangerous. Just as you would indoors, make sure to have That's true even if you've done it before. “Depending on how much energy is in the a licensed electrician set up proper electrical “If you plug something into the wall and environment or the device you're touching, One of the most common electrical hazards outlets for your outdoor needs. that will cause some people's bodies to lock up," Beck sees are ungrounded outlets. Grounding nothing's ever happened, don’t assume that the next time you do it, nothing's going to happen Brenner says. "Electricity can stop your heart or wires protects us from getting shocked. again,” he says. mess with signals to your brain. You can't let go, “Ungrounded outlets pose a big risk, because One chore you can (and should) handle: because you can’t control your muscles anymore. certain equipment such as lamps can have wiring replacing missing covers on electrical panels, That's usually when you get electrocuted.” problems. If they do, the human body acts as outlets, and switches. Beck has seen live wires sticking out of a a path for electricity instead of the grounding house that were still connected to a breaker, or “When covers are missing, that invites little wire,” he explains. fingers to get in there, and that's a big problem. It's forgotten wires sticking out of the ground from a an easy and cheap fix to replace them,” says Beck. dismantled hot tub or outdoor lights. Take a look around the perimeter of your home, and if you see any abandoned wiring, call in an electrician to take care of it. Never touch it yourself, says Beck. Many electrical injuries and deaths can be prevented by following basic safety practices. The Overhead power lines might be out of sight, but ESFI has many helpful resources and checklists keep them top of mind so you don’t accidentally that will help homeowners understand how to pull one down. use electricity properly. Your real estate expert from Latah County to the Treasure Valley “When carrying things like ladders, people Wendy Helfenbaum is a journalist and TV producer who could run into power lines,” explains Brenner. “If covers "Let My Experience and Dedication Work For You" real estate, architecture and design, DIY, gardening, you do, you're dealing with a lot of energy and, and travel. Her work has appeared in Woman's Day, Metropolis, (208) 860-1992 Costco Connection, Garden Collage, Parenting, Canadian Living, usually, it's a fatal electrocution.” Canadian Gardening, and more. If you hear a loud noise outside and smell karyl@sawyerhl.com smoke, or you suspect wires have fallen down www.sawyerhl.com on your property, don’t investigate yourself; call
Don't get zapped by these electrical risks inside and outside the home Don’t overload or overuse extension cords
Save your DIY skills for something else
Understand electrical shock versus electrocution
Use common sense with outdoor electrical use
Know the difference between grounded and ungrounded outlets
Be on the lookout for abandoned wiring
EXPAND YOUR HORIZONS! KARYL SAWYER
Be extra careful around overhead power lines outside
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | March 6, 2021 | 7 • Run a dehumidifier in the crawl space. Dehumidifiers can help homeowners control moisture in a crawl space. In fact, many companies that install vapor barriers recommend running dehumidifiers after a barrier has been installed. • Examine the perimeter of your home, particularly the exterior walls. Periodic examinations of a home’s exterior may reveal brush that can make for ideal shelters for pests. and for all. Fortunately, homeowners can Pests sheltering along the exterior walls of a employ various strategies to keep pests from home will eventually try to enter the home, likely through the crawl space. Remove piles taking over their crawl spaces. • Seal cracks and openings. Pests may of brush during routine walk-arounds of the enter a crawl space through small cracks or home and trim any bushes or shrubs that also openings, much like cold or warm air can enter may be providing shelter to pests. • Keep an eye on the crawl space. through similar cracks around windows and doors. Terminix¨ notes that homeowners can Though crawl spaces can be difficult to apply caulk or foam insulation around cracks access, homeowners should visit these spaces or openings in their crawl spaces. No crack is periodically. Inspections can help homeowners too small to seal, as small insects like termites determine if dehumidifiers are still running and ants don’t need much room to maneuver and allow them to check for pests or other issues, such as cracks, that may be inviting their way into a home. • Encapsulate the crawl space. Crawl spaces unwanted guests into their homes. Crawl spaces can become homes and are dark and damp. Wet, humid conditions attract rodents and insects, increasing the breeding grounds for pests if homeowners risk of infestation. Encapsulation closes and don’t take measures to prevent such issues. secures a crawl space with a thick vapor barrier that lines the floor and walls of the crawl space. Vapor barriers can keep moisture from condensing on wood, making the area less likely to attract pests.
Tips to keep pests out of crawl spaces Metro Editorial
Crawl spaces tend to be no-go zones in many homes. With little room to maneuver and no heating or cooling, it’s no wonder people avoid crawl spaces. But pests may see crawl spaces in a wholly different light. Rodents and insects that find their way into crawl spaces can do significant damage. According to the pest control experts at Terminix¨, pests can destroy insulation, gnaw through wiring and air ducts and damage the wooden substructures of a home. Though many homeowners may go months if not years between trips to their crawl spaces, periodic visits to inspect for the presence of pests can help uncover any issues before they escalate into significant problems. The discovery of pest problems in a crawl space can be unsettling. Some homeowners may wonder how long they’ve been hosting these uninvited guests, while others may wonder what they can do to evict them once
Safety continued from page 3 While power washing, periodically take note of the location of the extension cord connections to ensure they are not in a puddle. • Wear rubber-soled shoes that provide some insulation when using the pressure washer. • Never cut or splice the pressure washer’s power cord or extension cords. • Never remove the grounding prong from the pressure washer’s power cord plug or the extension cord. • Pause the project if a circuit breaker is tripped. Always have a qualified electrician check the pressure washer for electrical problems after it has tripped a circuit breaker. • Never allow children to operate a pressure washer. Keep children at a safe distance when an adult is using a pressure washer. Power washing can give a home a whole new look after a winter’s worth of dirt and grime builds up on the home’s exterior. Safety must remain the utmost priority when operating a power washer on your own.
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8 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
10 Practical kitchen improvement projects based on how much time you have pendant or something geometric and modern. Cost: $50-plus for the light(s) and hardware; $150 to $300 for an electrician. Looking for a more low-key project? AliHassan recommends swapping out cabinet hardware like drawer pulls and cabinet handles for an updated, clean look. Cost: Depends on the number of cabinets and/or drawers. Hardware starts around $5 per item.
By Kathleen Willcox Realtor.com
Whether you're a professional-level home cook or a take-out fanatic who uses the oven to store shoes, the design and function of your kitchen is very important. No matter its square footage or number of built-in features, the kitchen plays a big part in how you live at home. That's why time spent beautifying your kitchen is always time well-spent—especially if you plan on selling your home someday. And while "kitchen renovation" may set off alarm bells for a big-budget project, there are some simple DIY upgrades that can improve the functionality and appearance of your kitchen—as long as you have the time. To find out what kind of kitchen refresh might be doable in the time you have, we reached out to a variety of design and home improvement experts. We found 10 projects that homeowners can execute themselves (or with the help of a professional) no matter how much free time they have. Have only 5 minutes
If you have 1 hour
to commit to cleaning up your kitchen? There's a project for you. Ready to get your DIY on for an entire weekend? Grab your tool belt and get to work!
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If you have 5 minutes There are several low-cost projects that can be accomplished in a few minutes, tops. However, one that will make a world of difference quickly is removing dark scuff and dirt marks from surfaces, cabinets, and walls with a Magic Eraser, says Julie Bennett, the founder of Renovator’s Toolkit, a guide to making home renovations simple, in Seattle. Cost: Around $7 You can also take 5 minutes to organize a junk drawer or cooking utensil drawer. Remove all of the items from the drawer, and purge anything you don't use. Add in wooden or plastic dividers, group your items by type or use, and place them back in the drawers.
An investment of just an hour can lead to instantly noticeable, significant changes. Faucets are easy to swap if you follow directions, and can make a huge difference in the appearance of your kitchen. “Faucets are like the garnish of the kitchen,” says Jake Romano, who works for John the Plumber in Ottawa. “A beautiful faucet can modernize the room, or make it look classic. Plus, new functions that are touch-activated keep the kitchen more sanitary.” Cost: Supplies are $50 to $500. A professional will install it for about $150. An under-the-radar quick fix is adding LED lighting strips under cabinets, which brighten up and modernize kitchens quickly, according to Anastasia Hartmann, an agent with Re/Max Professionals in Cottage Grove, MN. Cost: $15-plus for lighting that can be hard-wired, plugged in, or battery-operated. A professional will install it for $150 and up.
If you have 3 hours
Three hours gives you enough time to take on projects that will reap serious aesthetic rewards. One option that may not occur to many sellers—but will have broad universal appeal—is a reorganized pantry with In well under an hour, you can transform matching storage containers, says Nick Drewe, the look and feel of your kitchen with simple a home improvement expert for Wethrift, cosmetic upgrades. headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. Outdated pendant lights or fixtures should The bulk of your time will be spent pulling go, says Lanna Ali-Hassan, co-owner and all items out of your pantry, throwing away principal designer of Beyond the Box Interiors expired or unused food, and decanting your in Washington, DC. dry goods into plastic or glass containers. Use If you're feeling confident in your DIY skills, woven rattan or metal baskets to hold chips, you can easily replace a funky old ceiling light crackers, cookies, and other bagged snacks. with a more tasteful one. The installation “Use a 10- to 20-piece set to organize dry instructions are fairly straightforward, but if foods, and modernize the overall look of the you have any reservations about dealing with electricity in your home, go the safe route and hire an electrician. Opt for a timeless, sleek brass and glass Cost: Dividers range from $5 to $30.
If you have 30 minutes
LARGEST SELECTION IN THE REGION! " ( ( '$& (!)& l $ '$& (!)& l $ " 8QdgQY B_QT <UgYcd_^ 8 8QdgQY QY B_QT < <UgYcd_ d_^ 7bQ^YdU3_^SU`dc>G S_] l 7bQ^YdU3_^SU`dc ;YdSXU^c 2QdXb__]c 4Uc[c 22Ac 6YbU @Ydc 6YbU`\QSUc *ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL, L-C VALLEY KITCHEN WITH GRANITE CONCEPTS
Kitchen
continued on page 10
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | March 6, 2021 | 9
6 Things you should never say when you're selling your home
By Liz Alterman Realtor.com
improved upon." If you're not sure what to disclose, talk to You know that expression about loose lips your agent about the history of the house. sinking ships? It holds true for selling your Together, you can figure out what is important home as well. Sure, there are some things you for buyers to know. Don't have an agent yet? have to disclose to buyers—such as if your home Here's how to find a real estate agent in your has lead paint or is located in a flood zone. But area. there's plenty more you might volunteer when you would be truly better off keeping your mouth strategically shut. We've already revealed the things buyers Never, ever discuss how long the home has should never say to sellers. Now, let us share been on the market with prospective buyers, some things that sellers should never let slip to says Pam Santoro, a Realtor with Berkshire buyers, or the agents representing them. Hathaway HomeServices. This info is often To help hone your “less is more" attitude listed and available on the home's information when it comes to talking with prospective sheet, but bringing it up—especially if the buyers, here are a few doozies that agents home has been available for eons—can send recommend never, ever saying. sellers the wrong message. No one wants to buy a white elephant—and, if they do, it's probably because they think they'll be getting it dirtcheap. Your home is your castle, and in your eyes it may seem perfect—but don't make claims that aren't true, says Cara Ameer, a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker. If you're hoping to move quickly, you may “The home inspection may reveal otherwise, be tempted to tell a few little white lies. So you and, as a seller, you don’t want to wind up never had a problem with weird neighbors, putting your foot in your mouth," she explains. eh? Or flooded basements? Or vengeanceBottom line: “There simply is no such thing seeking poltergeists? Realtors agree that your as ‘perfect condition.' Every house, whether mistruths—however insignificant they might it is brand new or a resale, has something seem—could come back to you with teeth. that needs to be fixed, adjusted, replaced, or “You're setting yourself up for potential
‘It's been on the market for X...'
'Our house is in perfect condition'
‘We’ve never had a problem with...'
‘We spent a ton of money on X, Y, and Z'
liability," explains Ameer. “You may not even be aware of the problem at first, but it could translate into an embarrassing moment upon inspection." So come clean with what you know and admit what you don't.
Just because you love the Brazilian koa wood flooring you installed throughout the first floor, that doesn't mean prospective buyers will be willing to shell out for it. “The buyer doesn’t care whether you spent $10,000 or $100,000 on your kitchen," says Ameer. “They are only going to offer what they feel the home is worth in relation to area comparable sales." So, save your breath, or else you'll risk sounding like you're trying too hard to justify your price. Desperation isn't cool.
‘We always wanted to fix/renovate that, but...'
‘I’m not taking less than X amount for my home'
Tempted to mention, “We always thought about knocking this wall down and opening the space for more light?" How about “We planned on renovating this bathroom but ran out of cash"? Mum's the word when it comes to fixes you intended to address. Nobody cares about good intentions. “When sellers point out things they might change, this only alerts the buyer of more upcoming costs for them," says Maryjo Shockley, a Realtor with Keller Williams. Who knows? Your buyers may not even want to knock down that wall or redo the bathroom. So why plant those ideas, along with those dollar signs?
When it comes time to sell, it makes sense that you want top dollar. We get it! But at the same time, it's important to be realistic and open to offers within a reasonable range. “If you send a message that you are inflexible or not open to negotiating, it may not invite buyers to even try to work out acceptable price and terms as they will feel defeated from the start," says Ameer. “Word may spread that you have this sentiment as a seller, and people may start to avoid the house." Liz Alterman is a writer who's covered a variety of subjects, from personal finance issues for CNBC.com to career advice for The Muse.
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10 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune or keep trying to sell it? If you still want to sell, do you want to continue working with your agent, or do you want to find someone new? called the MLS—and platforms like realtor.com®. Keep in mind that an expired real estate And that means buyers can't buy it off these agreement is not necessarily a sign you need to platforms, either. fire your agent, says Karen Wisne, an agent with "'Expired' means your home is off the market," Century 21 Joe Walker & Assoc. in Westerville, explains Mary Beth Sales, a real estate agent in OH. Beverly Hills, CA. "Switching agents or companies may not But that's not all: An expired real estate give you the magic bullet that produces a agreement also means you're no longer tied to buyer," Wisne says. "Talk with your real estate your real estate agent. That's because the amount agent about why the house hasn't sold and of time you agreed to list the house as "For Sale" what your expectations are." is also the length of time you agreed to have a It may be that your home was priced too specific real estate agent represent you. The agent high, or maybe you need to bring in a stager to has that time period to pull out all the stops and better present the home to potential buyers. try to find a buyer, earning her commission and You may want to make some minor home selling your home. improvements or improve your curb appeal to But once the listing has expired, this "means make the house more attractive. that your home is unrepresented and free game for other agents to contact you," Sales says.
What happens when your real estate agreement expires? By Jeanne Sager Realtor.com
If your home has been on the market for a while and you haven't been able to sell it, you're bound to start checking your paperwork to see when your contract with your real estate agent is up. And you're probably also wondering just what happens when your real estate agreement does, in fact, expire. Here's the deal—and how to handle the situation once a real estate listing and contract have reached their end.
What happens when a real estate listing expires?
First, let's talk about what it means to have an expired listing. When you sign a contract with a real estate agent to advertise your home as for sale, that contract will include an expiration date—usually one that's three to six months in the future. When Once that real estate agreement has expired, you hit the end of that time frame, the real estate agreement has expired, and your listing will be it's time for you to make some tough choices. removed from the multiple listing service—also Do you want to pull your house off the market,
What happens when a real estate agreement expires?
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How to end a contract with a real estate agent
In general, you'll be able to walk away scotfree from an expired real estate agreement, although you'll want to review your contract to be sure you don't owe any fees. And you shouldn't have a hard time finding a new agent, especially in a competitive market. "The day your home’s listing expires, you’ll likely be bombarded with phone calls from other agents who are going to tell you why you should let them sell your house for you," Sales says In some particularly hot markets, agents have been known to ring the doorbell of homes that recently came off the market, trying to pitch the owner face to face. If you're open to relisting with another real estate agent, it's important that you do your homework and make sure you pick the right one this go-around. "Interview agents, ask them questions," advises James Kolotouros, an agent from New York City. "Make sure they have a recent track record of getting homes sold within their target time frame." What if you do want to fire your agent and Whomever you go with, listen to their advice. find someone new? There are times this is the "This means pricing correctly, staging or way to go, Sales says, especially if you realize prepping the home for showings well, and your agent didn't do a good job of helping putting themselves and their Realtor in the present your home in the best possible light. best position possible to get buyers excited After all, it's an agent's job to lead the way on a about making an acceptable offer on the sale, not the client's. home," Kolotouros notes. "If you and your agent have had back-andThis is the best way to prevent your real forth debates about how to price your home, estate listing—and contract—from expiring and if your agent listened to you, it may be time again. to let another agent represent you," Sales says. Jeanne Sager has strung words together for the New York "The best agents won’t let clients dictate how Times, Vice, and more. She writes and photographs people from to price a home. If your home’s expiration is a her home in upstate New York. result of your agent giving in to your demands, it’s time to get a new agent."
Should you fire your real estate agent?
be more than capable of completing this in a couple of days. If you need some extra help, pull continued from page 8 up a tutorial on YouTube, or you can hire a pro. Cost: Supplies will range from about $200 to kitchen and pantry,” Drewe says. $1,000, depending on the tiles and the size of Cost: $50 to $199 your backsplash. If you have some extra wall space, floating You can also give your kitchen a face-lift shelves will give the kitchen an open, airier feel with a few fresh coats of paint. Either repaint and add room for storage, says Hartmann. using your existing color or go for something Your local hardware store should have a bold and new. number of prefab floating shelf options in a Cost: Supplies for a 150-square-foot variety of finishes. kitchen will be about $150, and if you want a Cost: $20-plus for a single shelf, depending professional painter, the total project will run on size and material from $300 to $1,000.
Kitchen
If you have a weekend Giving yourself a full weekend means you can tackle a larger project like installing a new tile backsplash. Of course, novice DIYers should proceed with caution—but if your home improvement abilities are above average, you'll
Kathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about real estate, travel, and food and wine. She lives in Saratoga Springs, NY.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | March 6, 2021 | 11
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12 | March 6, 2021 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
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