When it comes to selling a house or condo, there are many little things (that often don’t cost much money) a seller can do to add value.

Figuring out what your priorities should be is pretty easy, you just need to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.  Ask yourself:  What would I notice if I toured this home as a buyer.  What positive things would I notice?  What negative things would I notice?

Most of us can quickly identify the main points if we really just think about it.  The problem is that you have lived in your home so long with the running toilet, crooked cabinet door, or pet scratches on the door that they don’t even bother you anymore.  Not only does it not bother you, you might not even notice those things!  Of course, a buyer will.  They will notice every little thing that is wrong with your property…  Why?

Buyers in today’s market have LOTS of options.  They will notice every little thing that your property lacks.  Buyers in today’s market know that they can find a property that is move in ready (if that is what they want) where they might only have to do a little painting.  Cash is also tight for a lot of buyers today.  They might not want to buy a property that needs some work as they would have to use their cold hard cash to make the improvements.  If they buy a property that has everything they need, they might pay more on the asking price, but they will have basically “financed in” some of those improvements.  That means less cash out of pocket for them, and less time and energy to make those repairs and improvements.

So if you are a seller in today’s market, do yourself a favor:  Grab a notepad and a pen and go outside.  When you get outside, try and really imagine that you are a buyer coming to see your property.  You are excited to see a new listing that you might want to actually make an offer on.  Now go through your property and look everything with your new set of eyes.  Rather than be oblivious to the crooked cabinet door, and the running toilet, make notes of these things and anything else you notice.  Now make your Home Depot list.  Running toilets and crooked cabinet doors can often be fixed with parts that cost less than $20 and take 30 minutes or less of your time.  Not only will they improve the appearance of your home, but the will also give a buyer the impression that your home is well maintained.

For 10 do-it-yourself projects you can get to work on this weekend, check out this article from Yahoo Homes by CLICKING HERE.

For more information about Norwalk real estate, or to ask Todd any questions, check out www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com!

 

South Norwalk continues to attract a wide variety of visitors and residents.  From the downtown strip on Washington and Main, the the beaches along Wilson Point and Harbor View, there is a lot to take in.

Recently the New York Times did an article on South Norwalk highlighting some of these points.  Whether you are a fan of SoNo or not, it is nice for the area to receive the publicity.  To read the article from the Times, CLICK HERE.

For information on housing, the local economy, and more, check out COMMUNITY REPORTS.

Feel free to visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com for more Norwalk information.

If you take a stroll around South Norwalk this weekend, you will notice a big difference across the street from the IMAX theater.

The demolition of the Norwalk Company building was completed on Wednesday and Thursday. The picture above is from my cell phone as I headed into the IMAX theater for the 7 pm showing of the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises” last night (Thursday).

Most people may not have paid much attention to the building which has been vacant for years, but the change is definitely noticeable. However, don’t get used to the wide open space as Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, LLC plans on building a mix of retail, restaurant, and residential space on the site. There was initially talk about saving the original facade, but it wasn’t feasible as the new construction plans would have required the builders to pick up and move the facade away from the street to make way for widening the sidewalk.

For more information about the demo, and more pictures, visit TheHour.com’s article by CLICKING HERE.

For more information about Norwalk Real Estate, or to contact Todd with any questions, visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com

 

Senator Bob Duff, Richard Moccia, and other representatives from Norwalk were at the Norwalk courthouse on Tuesday promoting the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, or EMAP.

The promotion comes after a $21 million dollar influx into the program on the heels of a $25 billion dollar settlement with 5 mortgage lenders.

The program boasts that they have many people in Norwalk avoid foreclosure through different avenues the program offers.  These programs are also offered free of charge.

For more information on the article published by the Norwalk Patch, CLICK HERE.

Are you facing a foreclosure, or do you have questions about Norwalk real estate?  Feel free to contact Todd, or visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com for more information.

According to a recent report, Goldman Sachs is becoming more confident about the US housing market.

The report cites confidence among builders pertaining to new construction, and falling gas prices leaving Americans with more disposable income.  Multi-unit construction has been preferred lately due to the increased rental demand, and analysts hope to see the single family construction market pick up steam.

Time will tell if this is a positive trend, or just a small blip of positive news on the spectrum of a sideways-moving housing market.  To read the entire article from Housingwire.com, CLICK HERE.

For information about Norwalk real estate, visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com

 

 

22 Ferris, a 1 BR apartment in Norwalk, was just listed for $1,350 per month!

This 1 BR apartment is available for August 1st, and features a dishwasher and washer / dryer within the unit.  These is also a 1 car garage available for rent with this unit for $100 per month.

The last comparable unit in this building rented for $1,350 in just a few days, and we expect this unit to get a lot of interest as well.

For more information about this particular unit, CLICK HERE.

To search every rental in Norwalk, or for more information about Norwalk real estate, visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com

 

JP Morgan Chase is bullish on the real estate market.  Recently their analysts published a report predicting a 12% gain in home prices by the year 2016.

They basically believe that the housing market has hit bottom, or is close to bottom, and expect gains starting around 2013 or 2014 and continuing forward.

For more information about this article published by Housing Wire, CLICK HERE.

For information about local real esta

16 Donna Drive # 17, a condo for sale in Norwalk, was just reduced to $249,900!

This 2 BR, 1.5 Bath condo is in excellent condition and ready for its future owners to move right in.  It features and updated kitchen, and finished basement with extra storage space.  The complex also offers an in ground pool and play area for the kids.

For more information about this Norwalk condo for sale, CLICK HERE.

The former United Methodist Church in Norwalk, next to the the proposed 95/7 District on West Avenue, is close to being sold.

According to TheHour.com, the church has an accepted offer and is waiting on an updated appraisal before moving to contracts.  The church first hit the market in 2008, with a price tag of $2 million dollars.  The most recent list price is $1.2 million.

The church was deconsecrated in 2008 due to lack of attendance, but has continued to serve as a landmark to residents who drive down West Ave. to access South Norwalk.  If sold, the most likely outcome would be that the church is torn down, and a new building is built.  At the moment, there isn’t any indication what the prospective buyer might do at the site.

One of the difficulties facing a new buyer who would want to keep the church is the extensive restoration work needed.  Another is the lack of parking.  Some of the church parking was sold off years ago in an effort to raise funds and keep the church going.

No matter what the outcome with the sale is, expect the scenery to be different on a future drive to South Norwalk.

To read the entire article, CLICK HERE.

For more information on local Norwalk real estate, visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com

To comment on this story, visit www.Facebook.com/NorwalkRealEstate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three different apartments for rent in Norwalk were just listed on the MLS.  They are:

• 61 Plattsville – 2 BR, 2.5 Bath Townhouse – $1,750 / month – CLICK HERE
• 10 Wall St. # 212 – 1 BR, 1 Bath Loft – $1,295 / month – CLICK HERE
• 36 Wolfpit # D1 – 1 BR, 1 Bath Studio – $895 / month – CLICK HERE

We expect lots of interest on all three of these Norwalk rentals given their listed prices.  For more information about each particular place, click the links to the listings above.

For more information about Norwalk apartments for rent, visit www.NorwalkRealEstateTodd.com or check us out on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NorwalkRealEstate