Chris Voigt's December Real Estate Newsletter

The arrival of December means the year is winding down, yet it is also the beginning of a busy time for many of us who celebrate special holidays over the coming weeks. For me, December is not only a time for celebration, but also a time of reflection and appreciation. I am particularly grateful to my clients for the support they have shown me in the past, and I look forward to helping you with all your future real estate needs. In the meantime, I hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season! Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go "Like" my Facebook page Oh, by the way...if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I'll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.   Putting The Fun Back Into Moving Day Moving into a new home should be an exciting experience. But, unfortunately, that's not typically the case. In fact, moving day is traditionally fraught with such misery that there is even a reality TV show about it! Your real estate agent can help. He or she can assist you in finding the right movers, provide you with relocation tips, recommend contractors and other home professionals, and advise you on what to expect on closing day. Some agents disappear after the deal is done. Make sure your agent is available to help make the transition into your new home a pleasant one. Better Bedrooms. Faster Sale! Here’s a surprising statistic. In several surveys, upwards of 60% of people surveyed listed “bedrooms” as one of the reasons they decided to purchase a particular property. So don’t overlook these rooms when preparing your house for sale. You need to make sure they appear roomy and attractive to potential buyers. The first step is to make sure every bedroom actually has a bed. Otherwise, you might inadvertently give the impression that your home has fewer bedrooms than it really does. To a potential buyer, a bedroom is often more valuable than the home office or storage room you may have converted it into. You can’t change the number of bedrooms your home actually has, but you can make sure that each one shows well. Consider the layout of each room carefully. Is the bed and other furniture placed in a way that makes the room appear as spacious as possible? Can buyers easily walk around the bed? Are the curtains, bedding and other décor items clean and attractive? Finally, buyers will understand that a kid’s room may be somewhat cluttered and may even have an eclectic style, but you need to make sure it’s as clean and tidy as possible. Have questions about how to prepare your house for sale? Call today. Don’t Forget To Get What You Want Shopping for a new home can be a dizzying experience. There are so many things to think about, it’s all too easy to lose focus on the most important consideration of all: getting the home you really want. Here are five questions to keep front-of-mind: Is it located in the neighborhood I want? Where a property is located can have a dramatic impact on how much you enjoy it. Make sure the neighborhood has the characteristics you’re looking for. Does it have the look I want? Looks aren’t everything, but they are important. A good looking property, inside and out, can make living in it that much more satisfying. Does it have the features I want? Three bedrooms? A finished basement? A spacious backyard with wraparound deck? You may not find all the features you‘re looking for, but you should be able to come close. Does it have issues I don’t want? Does the property require extensive repairs or renovations? Does it back onto a noisy street? Can I purchase it for the price I want? Does the property fit your budget? A good REALTOR® can help you find the home you want while making the entire process easier and less stressful. notable, quotable... quotes! “Happiness is not getting what you want. It’s wanting what you’ve got.”  Anon “To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.”  Eleanor Roosevelt Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

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Chris Voigt's November Real Estate e-Newsletter

Get ready for "cold cereal and maybe toast".   For those that remember, that is what Charlie Brown felt he was capable of serving to his friends who invited themselves over for a Thanksgiving feast.  Of course, Snoopy comes in and helps - serving up a feast of toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks, and jelly beans.  Ultimately the Peanuts gang enjoyed a traditional meal at Charlie Brown's grandmother's house.  We all know the meal isn't as important as spending time with friends and family.  This is the time of year to give thanks for everything we are grateful for. The more active or volatile the economy is, the more important familiarity and stability become, especially in real estate. People want to know about their safest options and most promising opportunities and they need to know that the information is reliable and responsible. When you require an objective, professional opinion, you need to trust your source and be confident in its credibility. I work hard to earn your confidence and trust, and I’m always available to help you in every possible way. It’s my way of providing stability for my clients, and maintaining stability in business, no matter what the economy. And should you direct referrals my way, I would be delighted to provide the same service, advice and assistance to the people you’ve entrusted to me. Deferring home maintenance can be risky, as even small issues can have the potential to become more serious and expensive in a heartbeat. While a home warranty, typically obtained upon the purchase of a home, would pay for certain unforeseen expenses while the plan is active, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover repairs that become necessary as a result of normal use and aging. This month I am passing along some information on the estimated life expectancies of various surfaces, appliances and systems in the home. It is information you can certainly use when planning ahead for the eventual replacement of these items. There is also a list of simple home maintenance tips that could help extend their useful life and save you money. Download the Preventing Costly Home Repairs handout. I’m always available to help you keep your home in good condition and protect your investment. Please call if you need advice on a particular repair matter or a referral to a contractor or handyman who can handle the task. These days, it’s important to know you can count on someone. I want to be that someone to you! Have a great November and a very Happy Thanksgiving! Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go "Like" my Facebook page Oh, by the way...if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I'll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.   7 Simple Repairs That Will Help Sell Your Home Faster There’s a lot of competition in the housing market these days. When you put your home up for sale, you’re bound to be up against several other similar listings. That’s why it is important to make sure your property is in a good state of repair so that it makes a good impression on potential buyers. Here are some things that may need your attention or the help of a reputable contractor: Doorways. Inspect all your entry systems closely. Look for sagging screens, cracked glass, squeaks, and aging or broken aluminum parts. Consider giving your doors a fresh coat of paint. Roof. Check for missing shingles and have replacements installed where necessary. Also inspect the gutters. Remove any leaves and other debris that may have accumulated. Walls. Look for nail pops, holes and dents. Patch and paint where necessary. Toilets. Make sure all toilets are still secured firmly to the floor and don’t rock when you sit on them. Anchoring nuts tend to corrode over the years. Replace where necessary. Faucets. Inspect all faucets, including those in the laundry room and other areas. Do you have one that drips? If so, repair or replace it. Cabinets. Kitchen and bathroom cabinets get scratched and worn in spots over the years. There are many great scratch repair products on the market that can make cabinetry look almost new. Decks and gates. Any loose boards? Rickety stairs? Sagging gates that you have to lift in order for the latch to close? Buyers will notice. Get them fixed. The good news about these types of repairs is that they are relatively inexpensive, yet make your home show significantly better. Want more ideas for selling your home faster and for the best price? Call today! 15 Minutes Before a Viewing When preparing your house for a viewing, you’re obviously going to make sure it’s clean and tidy. After all, you want to make the best impression possible on potential buyers. But in the minutes before the buyers are due to arrive, there are a few final touches you need to do in your house to ensure it looks its best. Put away coats, hats and shoes. Focus around the foyer. You don’t want clutter to be the first thing a buyer sees. Turn on all lights and lamps. Don’t forget darker areas like nooks and corners. A house that is bright looks more roomy. Organize your storage space. Make sure bikes, boxes and other items are neatly stowed. Think of your storage space as another room. Put on some soft music. Choose something that will appeal to most people. Easy listening and classical music work best. Make sure the toilet lids are down. Even when a washroom is sparkling clean, a raised toilet seat gives the impression – however incorrectly – that things are less than hygienic. Open all curtains and blinds. This makes rooms look bigger and brighter, even at night. It only takes a few minutes to do these few final touches, and your home will show better as a result. Need more ideas? Call today! The Benefits of a Less-Than-Perfect Home Do you have a clear image of your perfect dream home? Have you made a list of all the features it must have? Will you walk away from a property that doesn’t have huge mature trees in the back yard, or a wrap-around deck, or a large country-style kitchen, or comfy sunken living room? (Or all of the above?) It’s okay to have a wish list of features that you want in a home. In fact, it’s a very good idea. It will make shopping that much easier. Plus, you’ll increase the chances of finding a property you like. But it’s also important to be flexible. Why? Because you’re bound to come across properties on the market that fit most of your criteria, but not all. And if you’re not flexible with your wish list, you may miss out on some otherwise ideal opportunities. Keep in mind that a less-than-perfect property can potentially be improved. If the house doesn’t have a wrap-around deck, you can build one. If it doesn’t have a spacious kitchen, you may be able to expand the kitchen area – perhaps by adding a pantry in an adjacent room. The perfect home, at the right price, may not exist on the market. But a property that meets most of your criteria probably does. notable, quotable... quotes! “When you choose your friends, don’t be short-changed by choosing personality over character.”  W. Somerset Maugham “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.”  Arthur Ashe “You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” George Horace Lorimer Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Chris Voigt's October Real Estate Newsletter

There are only a few months left in this calendar year, so it’s no wonder people are already talking about 2014. While at this time of year, three months doesn’t seem like very long, a lot can happen in that length of time.If you’re like millions of people, you dream of the day when you will be debt free. The economic recession has prompted many families to restrict spending in order to take control of their finances, pay down outstanding debt and make saving a priority. For many people, eliminating household debt feels unattainable; however, with the right tools, anyone can take control of their spending  and begin to build wealth. This month, I’m including some tips to help you break the cycle of debt and achieve financial freedom. Please click here to access this valuable information.  The first page outlines steps you can take to create a budget and save money. Page two details a plan to eliminate debt from credit cards and loans in a fraction of the time it would traditionally take. Feel free to share this information with your family or friends who are looking to get out of debt and improve their financial security.  If you’re curious about how the market is doing, or where it’s likely to be going, just give me a call. It’s always good to touch base on real estate activity and trends, and I’m happy to answer any questions you have, anytime you like.  In the meantime, please enjoy these Halloween Jokes! What's a vampire's favorite fruit? Neck-tarines! What kind of mistakes to ghosts make? Boo-boos! Knock-knock Who's there? Boo Boo who? Hey, don't cry, it's just a costume! What two places to ghosts like to go swimming? Lake Erie and the Dead Sea What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire? Frost-bite! What did the guy on Twitter give out for Halloween? Tricks or Tweets What do you call a monster who eats too fast? A gobblin' goblin! Who did the monster take out on a Halloween date? His ghoul-friend Have a great month!  Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go "Like" my Facebook page Oh, by the way...if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I'll be happy to follow up and take great care of them. Uncommon Tips for Making Your Home Show Better Most people know the basics of preparing a home for a viewing or an open house: make sure everything is clean and tidy, mow the lawn, sweep the walkway, etc. But there are a number of lesser known tips — tips you often don’t hear about — that can make your home even more attractive and desirable to potential buyers. In the kitchen, for example, it’s obvious that the stove, sink, and countertops should be spotless. But did you know that grinding a lemon will help eliminate any lingering odors? You should also arrange the contents of your cabinets and refrigerator to face forward. In the bathrooms, make sure the toilet lids are closed. Hang matching towel sets. Moving onto the bedrooms, check that nothing is lying around. Even a shirt draped neatly over a chair can appear messy to some people. In the kids’ rooms, the toys should be “staged”, not just flung around. For example, set up a train set like an appealing store display. Don’t just have bits and pieces scattered on the floor. If possible, move half the contents of all closets into storage. This makes a big difference in how spacious they’ll appear. Turn on everything: all the lights (even the one above the stove), the fireplace, the backyard fountain. And here’s another uncommon tip. House plants look their best — brighter, more upright and alive — approximately four hours after you water them. Finally, put on some easy listening tunes to create a pleasant auditory background. Keep the volume low. No one should have difficulty talking above the music. All these tips take just minutes to implement, but they can make a big difference in how your home shows. Studies prove that a well prepped home will often sell faster, and for a higher price, so it’s worth the effort. Need more tips on prepping your home for sale? Call today. Under What Conditions Should You Accept a Conditional Offer? Ideally, you want a firm offer for your home. That means the buyer offers you a certain price, and you can either accept or reject it. Sometimes, however, a buyer will make a conditional offer. For example, you may be offered your full asking price — but only on the condition that the buyer can sell their current home or secure appropriate financing within a specified period of time. Should you accept a conditional offer, despite the risk that it may “fall through”? There’s no easy answer. That’s why you should discuss these types of offers with your real estate agent in advance. A good REALTOR® will help you determine the conditions under which you should accept a conditional offer. Are Your Doors and Locks Safe? Burglary is among the greatest concerns of most families and homeowners, yet home security is something many of us take for granted. Typically, it is only when we become aware of a disturbing incident – or suffer the personal trauma of being a victim – that we actually take steps towards making our homes more secure. The more common access areas, such as front, rear and garage doors are the preferred points of entry for a burglar. A proper security assessment will require a careful professional examination to identify the home’s unique critical areas. Make An Entrance Examination Every homeowner should take a close look at the obvious entry points of the home, and ensure they provide adequate protection for family members and their possessions. Typically, burglars seek the easiest and least visible point for illegal entry, such as garage doors and back doors. These doors are usually in darker or covered locations, and often can be compromised simply by breaking a glass panel or applying a swift kick to a weak area. Remember, if you make it difficult for thieves to enter your home, you can effectively discourage burglars and protect your possessions. Don’t invite burglars by offering an easy target. After all, if a break-and-enter requires too much work, skill or tools, the burglar will likely move on. Standard Doors & Frames A door is only as secure as its most vulnerable point, and the average door lock is often secured in only a lightweight doorjamb molding, which might be torn away with a firm kick. Your door and frame should be as strong as possible, and firmly fixed to wall studs. The hinges and "strike area" (where the lock is embedded into the door frame) should be installed with long, heavy-duty screws. Ensure your entrance doors are made of strong solid-core wood or heavy-gage metal, and consider installing an extra chain lock and a wide-angle peephole. Patio Doors & Security Bars Sliding glass doors are secured by latches not bolts, so they’re more vulnerable to being forced open from the outside. However, such movement can be restricted by inserting a rigid bar or blocker into the slider track, or installing a hinged security bar that swings into place between the sliding panel (when closed) and the frame on the fixed panel side. Unfortunately, sliding doors can be lifted up and off their tracks and removed despite a bar, blocker, or latch lock. To prevent this, you should install an anti-lift pin that goes through the slider (when closed) and the fixed door panel. There are numerous locking and blocking devices available in most good quality hardware stores that will prevent a sliding door from being lifted or forced horizontally. Think About Security Every Day In addition to more secure doors and locks, it is also a good idea to be mindful of other security precautions, such as adequate outside lighting set to motion detection, and variable indoor lighting set to random timers. In addition to more secure hardware and equipment, better habits can go a long way to prevent criminals targeting your home. Make sure you don’t tip off burglars with obvious signs of absence such as an open garage, or stacked newspapers and mail. The more you think about security in your everyday life, the more you can do to protect your life from intrusion. notable, quotable... quotes! “Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.” Margaret Mead “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”  Winston Churchill “Failure isn’t in not reaching your goal, but in having no goal to reach.” Benjamin Mays Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc.

10 Great Ways to Avoid Back-to-School Clutter

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  10 Great Ways to Avoid Back-to-School Clutter

  The new school year is always stressful, so don’t let back-to-school clutter make matters worse. Here are ways to cut down on clutter chaos. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2013 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Chris Voigt's September Real Estate Newsletter

It's time to celebrate!  Christmas in September?  Not even close, but my favorite day of the year is finally here.  That's right, it's back to school time. Summer is winding down, we've geared everybody up with the latest and greatest in school supplies and it's time to turn the kids over to the teachers until next July.  Thank goodness!  The first day of school is my favorite day of the year. Maybe you have a "Calvin", who is less than thrilled about heading back to school.  Or, perhaps you have a "Susie", who is looking forward to it with gusto.  Either way, fall is synonymous with change and new beginnings. If you think moving to a new home is in your future, now is a good time to discuss the real estate market. I would be happy to sit down with you, even if only to help you review your situation, and to advise you of any issues or opportunities you should be aware of. Then, once I am up-to-date with your specifics, I can assess your selling potential and evaluate your buying prospects, according to current conditions, as well as future trends. So, whenever you’re ready to put a plan together, I want you to feel free to give me a call anytime. I also want to pass along some important information regarding the STAR tax program.  If you are a homeowner in New York State, you will want to review this important information on the STAR tax program. New legislation requires all homeowners receiving a Basic STAR exemption to register with the New York State Tax Department in order to receive the exemption in 2014 and subsequent years. Enjoy the first day of school and the fresh new beginnings that come with the fall season! Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go "Like" my Facebook page     What Do Buyers Want to Pay for Your Home? If you’re selling your home, you’ll have a very personal perspective on what it‘s worth. You’ll remember all the hours you put into making the backyard flower garden beautiful, or the work you put into renovating the basement, or the money you spent on installing new hardwood floors in the livingroom and hallways. It’s natural to want these improvements factored into the asking price. However, potential buyers don’t have that same perspective. Although they may appreciate the improvements made to the home, buyers will only be interested in paying current market value for your property. That’s the price for which comparable homes with comparable features are currently selling in your area. Buyers don’t see all the hours you spent on improvements and renovations. What they see, instead, are the final features: the hardwood floors, the freshly painted bedrooms, the sparkling new master ensuite. Features like these will certainly help sell your home faster and for the best price — but that price will likely be close to the current market value. Now, it’s tempting to try to set a list price high above the current market value in the hopes that some buyer will appreciate all the time and money put into the property. But that strategy rarely, if ever, works. In most cases, pricing your home higher than comparable properties on the market only discourages potential buyers from viewing it. Buyers expect to pay market price. The good news is that the current market value of your home may be a lot higher than you think. The only way to know for sure is to have an experienced REALTOR® look at it and provide you with an estimate. Want to find out the current market value of your home? Call today.   Don’t Speak Too Soon If you get an offer for your property that you consider too low, resist the urge to react in a negative way. It’s normal to feel disappointed, or even insulted. Just try not to show it.  Why? Because even a low offer signals, at the very least, interest. That means the other party might still consider a higher counter offer. And, they’ll be much more receptive to that counter offer if the atmosphere is positive.   Are You Adequately Insured? With so much news about hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and floods, we are becoming more and more aware of the unpredictable power of nature, and the indisputable importance of insurance. Although we may forget about our home insurance policy for extended periods of time, we should examine it carefully at least once a year, in case we need to make an unexpected claim. It’s also a good idea to keep a photographic and/or videotape record of valuables (with copies saved off premises) to more accurately estimate the cost to replace important possessions, including: Furnishings and equipment Technical hardware, software and accessories Possessions, including books, art, antiques Documents and business materials Personal mementos, hobby equipment, tools, etc. Loss of time and/or revenue (for self-employed home office or small business) Insurance should serve the purpose of providing good value while protecting material goods and looking after family needs. To prevent irreplaceable loss and enormous disappointment, investigate the details of your policy today, and make sure you fully understand the fine print.   notable, quotable... quotes!   “You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile.”  Brian Tracy   “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”  Ambrose Redmoon   “Never let your memories be greater than your dreams.” Doug Ivester   Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc. If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click unsubscribe.

Chris Voigt's August Real Estate Newsletter

Hopefully your summer has been enjoyable. With any luck, you’ll be able to stretch it a bit longer so you can get together with family or get reacquainted with old friends you may not have had the chance to spend time with this summer. Many people like to squeeze in one last family vacation during the month of August before the kids head back to school.  If that's the case for you, I wish you the best of luck as you load up the family truckster and head out for some rest and relaxation. Typically, people like to talk about change when fall rolls around. So, if you happen to be thinking about moving in the next few months, or maybe looking for reliable real estate advice, I would be very appreciative if you called. You can be assured I will assist you with professional guidance and attentive service. Have a great month of August! Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Realty USA 914 Maple Road Williamsville, NY  14221 716-345-5251 cvoigt@realtyusa.com Go "Like" my Facebook page What Should You Expect From Your Realtor? You probably know that a Realtor does more than just post a FOR SALE sign on your front lawn, or guide potential buyers through your home. But how much more? What exactly will a real estate agent do for you? Taking the time upfront to understand what to expect from your agent will help to reduce misunderstandings, and make the selling process less mysterious and stressful. You'll be able to anticipate what's going to happen next, be prepared to ask the right questions along the way, and be aware of whether your Realtor is meeting expectations. Typically, you should expect a good real estate agent to: Explain the Listing Agreement to you. (This is your contract with the real estate firm.) Describe the home selling process, and answer all your questions and concerns. Prepare a realistic appraisal based on the expected market value of your home by comparing it to similar property sales in your area. Provide you with advice on how to make your home more appealing to potential buyers, especially during showings and open houses. Create a comprehensive marketing plan to promote your home. Screen enquiries, schedule appointments, and show your home to potential buyers. Field offers from potential buyers, deal with counter-offers, and negotiate the best terms and selling price possible for your home. Help you throughout the entire selling process to make it as easy and stress-free as possible. These services should be the minimum you expect from a good agent. The best agents will actually do more. They will be there for you in the weeks, months, and even years after the sale to make sure everything continues to go smoothly in your new home. Identifying Your Home’s Unique Features It is surprising how often homeowners fail to recognize the unique value their individual property holds. The distinct property characteristics that set a home apart from other homes provide important selling perspectives that often become decision-making factors for interested buyers. The key is to understand your home’s most “marketable” features - those which hold the greatest importance to most homeowners. Consider them the “micro market values” by which you must compete, should you ever decide to sell your property. So, before you actually decide to list your home, you should be aware of its features. To get a better perspective on them, and their importance to you, ask yourself the following question about: Your Community and Your Neighborhood Does your community hold certain advantages that protect it from minor economic swings, or disadvantages that make it more vulnerable? Beyond traditional patterns, does your neighborhood experience unique cycles throughout the year which affect the value (or perceived value) of homes? Can you identify other factors which can affect the community market values, such as population fluctuations, local culture or lifestyles, municipal services, noticeable pollution levels, or recent government decisions? Your Property and Your Home Is your property situated in a desirable setting (eg. near recreational facilities, schools or community services, shopping or commercial developments, or major transit routes)? Does your home have the potential for a major improvement, such as an extra room or an expanded entrance? Is there potential for other property upgrades, such as a new garage, or a unique landscaping arrangement? Make The Most of Your Home’s Advantage When you’ve identified your home’s greatest advantages, consider capitalizing on its best features! Even minor home improvements have a positive influence on the way your home is perceived, sometimes in direct comparison to other homes. In the end you will help your home sell faster and at a price that recognizes its true potential. Tips for Checking References You have no doubt heard this tip before: Always check references before you hire a mover, lawyer, decorator, contractor, or other home professional. But for some people, picking up the phone and calling strangers to ask for a reference can feel awkward or even intimidating. Here are a few tips that can help: Call in the early evenings. This is the most convenient time for most people. Explain that you are checking references and that the professional or company you are considering hiring suggested you call. Ask if this is a convenient time to speak. Ask if they were satisfied with the services. Ask if there were any surprises with the final bill. Ask if they have recommended that professional or company to their friends? Thank them for their time. notable, quotable... quotes! “One of the marks of excellent people is that they never compare themselves with others. They only compare themselves with themselves and with their past accomplishments and future potential.”  Brian Tracy “I am aware that success is more than a good idea. It is timing too.”  Anita Roddick “Never mistake motion for action.” Ernest Hemingway Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. ©IXACT Contact Solutions Inc. If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click unsubscribe.