Chris Voigt's February Real Estate Newsletter

	Let me be the first to congratulate you!!  There are 45 days till spring and we have survived the 2014 Polar Vortex. We have certainly encountered our fair share of epic winter weather over the years and 2014 will be remembered.  If not for the weather, but for the termPolar Vortex now being a regular part of our vocabulary. When you need advice on what kind of flowers to send to a friend, who do you ask? Probably your local florist. If you want to know about a new kind of insurance you’ve been hearing about, who do you call? Probably your insurance agent. But who do you talk to when you have a question about real estate? Unless you’re seriously considering buying or selling a home, you might think that calling a REALTOR® is not a good idea. They might make you feel pressured, or make you feel like you’re wasting their time. Some might. But not me. As your REALTOR®, you can ask me questions anytime, and I’ll do my best to provide you with the answers. So, as we put the Polar Vortex behind us and look towards some warmer weather and the spring months ahead, I hope to hear from you if you know of anyone who needs help with a real estate question. Have a great month of February and stay warm!! Christian Voigt Licensed Real Estate SalespersonAssistant Manager - Williamsville 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.
Why You Should Order Your Own Credit Report
“I don’t have a problem with credit,” a potential new home buyer says. “I pay my bills on time. I never have trouble getting a loan.” That may be true. However, according to several surveys, most people are surprised by at least one piece of information in their credit report. And it only takes one derogatory item to create an obstacle to getting the lowest mortgage rate possible, or even getting a mortgage at all. That’s why it’s important to check your credit report before you shop for a new home. You will then have the opportunity to deal with any unexpected issues. For example, you may discover an error, which is not unusual. If you do find there is a mistake in your credit report, inform the credit bureau immediately. They are required, by law, to promptly make a correction. If there are late payments noted on your credit report, you can write a letter of explanation to the credit bureau telling your side of the story. This will accompany the credit information that goes to your lender. Assuming everything else in your credit report is fairly good, most lenders will accept a reasonable explanation for late payments, such as being laid off from a job, an extended illness in the family, or military service overseas. How do you get your credit report? There are three major credit bureaus in North America: • Equifax (www.equifax.com) • Trans Union (www.transunion.com) • Experian (www.experian.com) All have websites that allow you to order your credit report for a reasonable fee. It’s a good idea to order all three credit reports as not all companies report credit information to all three bureaus. Getting your credit report, and checking that it’s accurate, will make the home buying process go a lot more smoothly.
Fresh Air Sells
The problem with household smells is that we get accustomed to them… when they are in our own homes. However, it takes just a few seconds in a stranger’s home, to know if a smoker lives there. The smell is in the air! So when you put your home on the market, think about the common smells you might have lingering around your property. Remember, you may no longer notice them, but a prospective buyer will. These may include: A diaper bin in the baby’s room Kitty litter Model making glue Paints, even if the cans or tubes are closed tightly Food. The aroma of a spicy meal can linger for hours Garbage cans. Even empty ones, if they are not clean Strong smelling soaps, perfumes and other cosmetics and toiletries Flowers and other plants Firewood, (especially pine) Outdoor shoes Ashtrays Sinks Carpets Door mats are especially prone to stains and smells. Try to eliminate as many odors as possible. An hour or so before a viewing, open a few windows to give your home a breath of fresh air.
Getting Schooled On Local Schools
If you have kids, the local school will be a big part of your new home buying decision. That’s why it’s important to get a school’s “vital statistics”, such as: Safety record Curriculum Accommodation for special needs Awards Average class sizes Extracurricular activities. (sports, arts, crafts, technology, etc.) Scores on standardized achievement tests Daily schedules and vacations Even such seemingly inconsequential details as hours of operation can be important. If school starts a half hour later than you expected, you may not be able to drop off your kids on your way to work and therefore, you will need to make other arrangements.
notable, quotable... quotes! “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”  Thomas Jefferson “Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems.”  Rene Descartes “If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”  Mario Andretti
Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.