REASONS FOR CHOOSING A REALTOR

THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING?

REASONS WHY

 CHOOSING A REALTOR

MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

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More than 2 million people  in the United States have earned real estate licenses.

However, real estate is a tough business with a steep dropout rate, and the

 result is that only a small percentage of those with licenses

actively help buyers and sellers.

The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) includes 1 million brokers

and salespeople, individuals bound together with a strong Code of Ethics,

extensive training opportunities and a wealth of community information.

NAR members are routinely active in PTAs, local government committees

and a variety of neighborhood organizations.

Being actively involved in community affairs provides REALTORS

with a better understanding of the area in which they are selling.

[WHY USE A REALTOR]
Buying and selling real estate is a complex matter.

 At first it might seem that by checking local picture books or

online sites you could quickly find the right home at the right price.

But a basic rule in real estate is that all properties are unique.

No two properties -- even two identical models on the same street --

are precisely and exactly alike. Homes differ and so do contract terms,

financing options, inspection requirements and closing costs.

Also, no two transactions are alike.

In this maze of forms, financing, inspections, marketing, pricing and

negotiating, it makes sense to work with professionals

who know the community and much more.

Those professionals are the local REALTORS who serve your area.

[HOW TO CHOOSE]
In every community you're likely to find a number of realty brokerages.

Because there is heated competition, local REALTORS

must fight hard to succeed in your community.

The best place to find a local REALTOR is from REALTOR.com's extensive

listing of community professionals and properties. Other sources include

open houses, local advertising, Web sites, referrals from other REALTORS,

recommendations from neighbors and

 suggestions from lenders, attorneys, financial planners and CPAs.

The experiences and recommendations of past clients can be invaluable.

In many cases buyers will interview several REALTORS before selecting

one professional with whom to work. These interviews represent a good

opportunity to consider such issues as training, experience, representation

and professional certifications.

[WHAT TO EXPECT]
Once you select a REALTOR you will want to establish a proper business relationship.

You likely know that some REALTORS represent sellers while others represent buyers.

Each REALTOR will explain the options available, describe how he or she typically

 works with individuals and provide you with complete agency disclosures

 (the ins and outs of your relationship with the agent) as required in your state.

Once hired for the job, the REALTOR will provide you with information

detailing current market conditions, financing options and negotiating issues

that might apply to a given situation. Remember: Because market conditions

can change and the strategies that apply in one negotiation may be inappropriate

 in another, this information should not be set in stone.

During your time in the marketplace REALTORS will

keep you updated and alert you to each step in the transaction process.

Summer Safety Tips for Parents

S.I. PREMIERE PROPERTIES SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

With the highly anticipated summer months here,

children are all excited to relax and enjoy the sunny weather.

While the summer is filled with long days of warm weather,

planning pool parties and backyard gatherings,
parents must prepare for the unexpected.

According to the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, nationwide,

about 300 children under 5 years of age drown in swimming pools, usually family owned swimming pools.

In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group
are treated in hospital emergency rooms

for submersion injuries.

Medical costs for submersion victims can range from anywhere

 between $4,000 to $160,000 for victims with severe brain damage.

• 75% of submersion victims studied were between 1 and 3 years old
• 65% of this group were boys
• In total: 69% of children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet were found in the water
• 65% of all incidents happen in the childrens own pool
• while 33% happen in a pool owned by friends or relative

Pool submersions happen quickly - A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone

77% of victims were missing from sight for 5 minutes or less!

WHAT TO DO TO SAVE YOUR CHILD

Survival depends on rescuing the child quickly and restarting the breathing process,

even while the child is still in the water . Seconds count in preventing death or brain damage.

MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE ENACTED SAFETY REGULATIONS GOVERNING RESIDENTIAL SWIMMING POOLS - INGROUND & ABOVEGROUND. ITS UP TO PARENTS TO COMPLY WITH THESE REGULATIONS. APART FROM THESE LAWS, PARENTS WHO OWN POOLS CAN TAKE THEIR OWN PRECAUTIONS TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF THEIR YOUNGSTERS ACCESSING THE FAMILY POOL OR SPA WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION.

FENCES & GATES

• Install a fence or other barrier such as a wall, completely around the pool. The doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with an alarm or the pool should have a power safety cover.
• The fence or barried should be at least 4 feet high. It should have no foot or handholds that could help a young child to climb it.
• Vertical fence slats should be less than 4 inches apart to prevent a child from squeezing through.
• Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The gate should be well maintained to close and latch easily. The latch should be out of a child's reach.

ABOVE GROUND POOLS

• Steps & ladders leading the ground to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.

IN-GROUND POOLS

According to PoolCenter.com you can purchase a poolguard pool alarm for inground pools.

The Poolguard Pool alarm has been on the market since 1982 and is made in the USA.

Entry into the pool detencted by the unit's electronic sensor sets off a loud,

pulsating alarm both in the home and at the pool.

This pool guard can sense any object over 15lbs falling into the pool

Please visit www.poolcenter.com/alarms for more information.

It is up to parents to make sure that their homes & yards are a safe place for children.

The National Spa & Pool Institute statistics show that drowning and

swimming accidents are best prevented by adult supervision.

Home Inspections for Sellers: Prepping for the Sale

Home Inspections for Sellers: Prepping for the Sale

We at S.I. Premiere Properties want you to know that a thorough home inspection is a critical step in the home-buying process, which is one reason that it's typically thought of as something the buyer has to do. There are, however, a few things that a seller can do to make the process smoother and ensure that a property gets flying colors during inspection.

What can sellers do to get ready for an inspection?

The first thing is make sure they aren't around during the inspector's visit, says Kenny Rhodes, a licensed home inspector with nearly 20 years experience. "It's really important that the seller not be here when we're being critical of his home," Rhodes says. If a homeowner does hang around, the potential buyer may not feel comfortable asking questions or discussing a property's issues openly and honestly.

A seller can also prepare the home for the inspection. The most important thing to do here is to keep all key areas of the house free, clear and accessible. This includes providing access to the furnace, boiler and circuit breaker.

In an ideal world, the home will inspect well and the real estate transaction can move forward. But what happens in the event that things don't go as planned? Don't be surprised if the buyer asks the seller to spend some money to make some repairs identified during the inspection. Buyers may also request to renegotiate the home's price to accommodate the necessary improvements that the inspection uncovered. And in a worst-case scenario, the buyer could even walk away from the transaction entirely.

Obviously, the best way to avoid any of these situations is to deal with any problems before the inspection takes place. And how can sellers do that? They can get their own pre-sale inspection before putting the property on the market.

While hiring an inspector may feel like an unnecessary expense for a seller, it could actually end up saving money down the road. If the homeowner can make some simple repairs before the open houses begin, there will be fewer issues for buyers to notice, and the inspection process will go more smoothly once an offer is made on the home. Anyone with questions concerning any real estate issues needs contact us at S.I. Premiere Properties (718) 408 -1499.

S.I. PREMIERE PRESENTS: HOMEOWNERS TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY THIS SUMMER

GO GREEN THIS SUMMER 

PREPARE YOUR HOME AND YOURSELF FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS

WITH THESE IMPORTANT TIPS THAT WILL SAVE YOU BIG BUCKS$

PRESENTED BY S.I. PREMIERE PROPERTIES

• Coordinate with Neighbors for Professional Services

Share the rental fee for tillers, chippers, or other heavy equipment with others on the block, then take turns and save. Check if a local contractor will provide a group special if several neighbors also use their services. This will cut down the contractor’s fuel costs, and minimize the pass-through by scheduling service calls with neighbors. Savings $100 – $250

• Utilize Window Coverings

Insulated blinds, wood blinds, and other specialty window treatments protect best against the sun and heat on hot days. Though they can be pricey, they are cheaper than air conditioning. For those on a tighter budget, consider curtains made from thick materials. Savings $120 – $150

• Contact Air Conditioning Pros Early

Air conditioning units should be inspected by an HVAC contractor before summer. The professional can make deft adjustments to the unit to ensure that it is in prime condition. Savings $75-100

• Buy Materials in Bulk

Take advantage of a home improvement warehouse’s volume buying power for bargains on common annuals and perennials, mulch, pavers, and containers. Save money on trees, shrubs, perennials, soil, and mulch by buying late in the season. Savings $150-$250

• Water Lawn Appropriately

Install rain sensors on sprinkler systems to automatically shut off sprinkler systems when it rains. Water lawn during the morning hours from 4 to 8 a.m. Less water is lost to evaporation in the early morning, temperatures are lower, sunlight is less intense and there is less wind. Savings $300-$500

WANT TO SAVE EVEN MORE MONEY? FOLLOW THESE TIPS!

1. Turn off the air conditioning. This doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sweltering heat, but you should be aware of the weather so that you can maximize efficiency and save money by using it only when needed. For example, if it is going to be a cool night, turn off the air before heading to bed and open a few windows.
   
2. Cook outside. Using the stove or baking in the oven can create a lot of excess heat that has nowhere to go except in your house. Consider taking meal plans to the barbecue grill outside so that you can keep your cool inside.
   
3. Let your laundry dry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the sun and warm summer breeze do the drying for you. Even if you can’t hang up clothes outside, try using your dryer on a lower heat setting or only partially drying your shirts and letting them air dry the rest of the way.
   
4. Replace your air conditioner filters. This can be easy to overlook, but a dirty filter can increase cooling costs. Dirty filters restrict the airflow and the efficiency of the air conditioner, which translates into more run time and higher cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
   
5. Plan ahead for future home and garden projects. As summer begins to wind down, it is a perfect time to be on the lookout for season ending sales. Landscape plants, tools, and other outdoor project materials tend to go on sale as people begin to look toward autumn and spending less time outside.