Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Looking to improve your home’s resale value? Start at your front door!
You suddenly find yourself with some free time and you’re looking for a home improvement project to do. You are thinking that you might sell your home in the near future. What should you work on first? What will get you the best bang for the buck? Where do you start?
Start at your front door.
An entry door replacement has been shown to yield some of the best return on investment percentages. Studies range from a 75% return on investment to some studies indicating a return on investment even slightly better than 100%.
If you are looking to sell your home, nearly everyone agrees that a front door is a great investment for improving the marketability of your home. Additionally, it is far cheaper than many other renovations that yield a more modest return on investment.
Drive through different neighborhoods and look at the front doors on homes. The nicer the front door, the more inviting the home appears. Look at different homes for sale and compare their first impression. By contrast a home with an old worn out front door will not appear nearly as inviting.
It’s important to make a good first impression. For your home, where does that impression start? Yes, at your front door.
There are more things that you can do to enhance your home’s curb appeal, such as having some nice landscaping and keeping the entryway clean. Fresh paint goes a long way as well. But for the money, a good front door is a must.
If you’re handy and you have help, replacing a front door can take some time and can be moderately difficult but installing a pre-hung door can be done in a reasonable amount of time. Before venturing into any project, talk to a professional. You also can find an assortment of videos on the internet for replacing a front door.
So if you are looking at making your home more inviting and want to also improve your home’s marketability, start at your front door. Statistically it’s the best investment you can make for your home.
Then, when you’re ready to put your home on the market, give me a call.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for January 2026
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker BHL Real Estate Market Report for January 2026. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market was comparable to the same time last year. The average days on the market is much higher compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased slightly when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include seven steps to take to prepare your house to sell in the New Year, how to turn empty rooms into useful spaces, quick and easy ways to improve your credit score in the New Year, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Creating Successful Goals for the New Year
Finally, 2025 is in the rearview mirror. The New Year has begun and you may already have resolutions for the year or you are still bouncing a few around in your head.
Even though the term resolution means a firm decision to do something, far too often resolutions end up falling by the wayside. You can see it in health clubs that will be historically packed for the month of January and then by March there is plenty of space. Some people have joked that fitness clubs should offer a special two-week New Years membership—because that’s how long most follow their resolution. Why does that happen so often?
Too often, most people have a goal or resolution that is too vague. Resolutions like:
I want to lose weight.
I want to get in shape.
I want to buy a house.
I want to write a novel.
The problem with these goals is that they are too vague. Today I will tell you about SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. This changes your goal into a serious achievable target.
Let me explain each piece of SMART goals.
Specific – A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six “W” questions that pertain to different aspects of goals and different types of goals:
*Who: Who is involved?
*What: What do I want to accomplish?
*Where: Identify a location.
*When: Establish a time frame.
*Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a health club and workout 3 days a week.” Ensure the goals you set is very specific, clear and easy. Instead of setting a goal to lose weight or be healthier, set a specific goal to lose 2cm off your waistline or to walk 5 miles at an aerobically challenging pace.
Measurable – Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you know when you reach your goal? Be specific! “I want to read the first book of Lord of the Rings by March 15th,” shows the specific target to be measure. You may have a goal of reading the entire book and may want to break it down into smaller pieces and goals.
If you have a goal of running a 5K race, you might have a goal of being able to walk/run a mile by February 1st. Then a goal of running/walking two miles by March 1st. The goals can get as measurable as you like.
Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goals.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as……How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
Attainable – A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you. For instance, if you aim to lose 20lbs in one week, we all know that isn’t achievable (or healthy). But setting a goal to lose 3 pounds and setting a plan for that part will make it easier to get to an overall goal of losing 20 pounds. It will also keep the overall goal more achievable for you.
The feeling of success which each step towards an overall goal helps you to remain motivated.
Realistic – This is not a synonym for “easy.” Realistic, in this case, means “do-able.”
If you have a goal of buying a house you would need to know what you can afford. If you say that you want to buy a mansion but have no money saved and you are working a minimum wage job, your goal is not realistic. However, if your goal is to buy a house, you can meet with a lender and find out what you would need to do to be able to achieve that goal. It might not be the mansion to start with but you can start somewhere that’s realistic.
Devise a plan or a way of getting to your goal that makes the goal realistic. The goal needs to be realistic for you and where you are at the moment. You may have a house to sell and it needs repairs. Break those repairs down into smaller, manageable steps.
Running a marathon in the spring may not be realistic for a couch potato, but with realistic targets along the way it’s possible to achieve that by summer.
Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!
Timely – Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by Sturgis Rally time. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.
If you don’t set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now.
If you want to buy a house, when do you want to achieve that by? Is it within three months, six months, or a year? Think of the steps you need to achieve along the way. For instance, you will need to get prequalified for a mortgage. That will also let you know how much you can spend. Then you can start adding more aspects to your goal. You will also need to find a real estate agent!
Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic to achieve your goal.
It is also helpful to write down your goal and put it in a place where you will see it so that you can check your progress toward it. Lastly, think about putting visual reminder up for your goal. It might be a picture of a house, a key (to a house or car—depending on your goal) or a photo of your body when it was in shape. Get creative with it!
Most of all, welcome to the New Year! Make it great one for you!
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for December 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for December 2025. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is much higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is higher than the same time last year. Overall, prices have increased slightly when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include tips for making your home more inviting for guests, how to challenge an appraisal, what are escrow items in a home loan, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Decorating for the Holidays While Your Home is For Sale
Selling a home during the holidays can be a great opportunity. Inventory is typically lower and the people shopping for a new home are usually serious buyers. Keep in mind that they are doing their shopping at open houses instead of stores.
Homeowners are often uncertain about how they should decorate for the holidays. Here are some ideas of what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. For example, you absolutely should avoid doing the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” home style decorating!
In all seriousness, you do not want to decorate in a way that would distract a potential home buyer. They are looking to see your home. They don’t want to see an abundance of lights that can be seen from a satellite orbiting the Earth.
Subtle decorating also makes more sense. Rather than strings of lights throughout your home, think about some white lights on the fireplace mantle. White lights will also brighten your home a bit during a time of year when the days are shorter and homes may seem a little darker.
Also, rather than using an abundance of bold colors consider trying to stay as neutral as possible to fit in with your home and only have some small splashes of color that are not overpowering. Silver, gold, green, white, and some red, are fine. You don’t want a potential home buyer’s eye to be drawn to your decorations rather than your home.
Keep it simple and on the subtle side.
If you have a Christmas tree, it’s best to have one that is not too large. Keep in mind that a large tree will make a room look smaller and feel cluttered. Again, stick with simple ornaments. With any decorating it’s always best to avoid ornaments with family photos as that can make it harder for a potential home buyer to envision your home as their home.
Most importantly, enjoy the holidays! A buyer may be coming through your door and giving you a Christmas present of a solid offer on your home!
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for November 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for November 2025. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is comparable to the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include ways you can protect your new home, avoid making moving mistakes, the pros and cons of open-concept, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for October 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for October 2025. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is higher than the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include safety tips for showing your home, hidden costs of home ownership, things lenders can’t ask you, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for August 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker BHL Real Estate Market Report for August 2025. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is comparable to the same time last year. Overall, prices have increased slightly when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include a very important checklist before selling your home, how to make your next house feel like a home, how to get a jump on fall projects, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for July 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for July 2025. Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is slightly lower compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices have increased slightly when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include how does the prime rate effect home buyers, what to know before you change your home’s layout, why does martial status matter, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for June 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for June 2025 Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is slightly higher compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include how home inspections can save you money in the long run, the role of scent in selling a home, new tricks for keeping mosquitoes away, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for April 2025
Click Here for the link: Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for April 2025 Here’s home sale information for Rapid City and the Black Hills of South Dakota. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is slightly higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is comparable to the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include how to make your home look high-end on a budget, how to save on kitchen cabinets, clutter-free tips that can make your home more appealing, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for March 2025
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for March 2025 The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is slightly higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is slightly lower compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices have decreased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include loan application stop signs, the worst parts of buying a house, jump starting and organizing for your next move, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for February 2025
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report February 2025. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is higher compared to the same time last year. The number of sold properties is up from the same time last year. Overall, prices have increased when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include what you need to know about closing costs, tips for designing your dream kitchen island, paying down credit card balances vs. closing the accounts, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
SMART Goals
Finally, 2024 is in the rearview mirror. The New Year has begun and you may already have resolutions for the year or you are still bouncing a few around in your head.
Even though the term resolution means a firm decision to do something, far too often resolutions end up falling by the wayside. You can see it in health clubs that will be historically packed for the month of January and then by March there is plenty of space. Why does that happen so often?
I believe that most people have a goal or resolution that is too vague. Resolutions like:
- I want to lose weight.
- I want to get in shape.
- I want to buy a house.
- I want to write a novel.
The problem with these goals is that they are too vague. Today I will tell you about SMART goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. This changes your goal into a serious achievable target.
Let me explain each piece of SMART goals.
Specific – A specific goal has a much greater chance of being accomplished than a general goal. To set a specific goal you must answer the six “W” questions that pertain to different aspects of goals and different types of goals:
*Who: Who is involved?
*What: What do I want to accomplish?
*Where: Identify a location.
*When: Establish a time frame.
*Which: Identify requirements and constraints.
*Why: Specific reasons, purpose or benefits of accomplishing the goal.
EXAMPLE: A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join a health club and workout 3 days a week.” Ensure the goals you set is very specific, clear and easy. Instead of setting a goal to lose weight or be healthier, set a specific goal to lose 2cm off your waistline or to walk 5 miles at an aerobically challenging pace.
Measurable – Choose a goal with measurable progress, so you can see the change occur. How will you know when you reach your goal? Be specific! “I want to read the first book of Lord of the Rings by March 15th,” shows the specific target to be measure. You may have a goal of reading the entire book and may want to break it down into smaller pieces and goals.
If you have a goal of running a 5K race, you might have a goal of being able to walk/run a mile by February 1st. Then a goal of running/walking two miles by March 1st. The goals can get as measurable as you like.
Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the attainment of each goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goals.
To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as……How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
Attainable – A goal needs to stretch you slightly so you feel you can do it and it will need a real commitment from you. For instance, if you aim to lose 20lbs in one week, we all know that isn’t achievable (or healthy). But setting a goal to lose 3 pounds and setting a plan for that part will make it easier to get to an overall goal of losing 20 pounds. It will also keep the overall goal more achievable for you.
The feeling of success which each step towards an overall goal helps you to remain motivated.
Realistic – This is not a synonym for “easy.” Realistic, in this case, means “do-able.”
If you have a goal of buying a house you would need to know what you can afford. If you say that you want to buy a mansion but have no money saved and you are working a minimum wage job, your goal is not realistic. However, if your goal is to buy a house, you can meet with a lender and find out what you would need to do to be able to achieve that goal. It might not be the mansion to start with but you can start somewhere that’s realistic.
Devise a plan or a way of getting to your goal that makes the goal realistic. The goal needs to be realistic for you and where you are at the moment. You may have a house to sell and it needs repairs. Break those repairs down into smaller, manageable steps.
Running a marathon in the spring may not be realistic for a couch potato, but with realistic targets along the way it’s possible to achieve that by summer.
Be sure to set goals that you can attain with some effort! Too difficult and you set the stage for failure, but too low sends the message that you aren’t very capable. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement!
Timely – Set a timeframe for the goal: for next week, in three months, by Sturgis Rally time. Putting an end point on your goal gives you a clear target to work towards.
If you don’t set a time, the commitment is too vague. It tends not to happen because you feel you can start at any time. Without a time limit, there’s no urgency to start taking action now.
If you want to buy a house, when do you want to achieve that by? Is it within three months, six months, or a year? Think of the steps you need to achieve along the way. For instance, you will need to get prequalified for a mortgage. That will also let you know how much you can spend. Then you can start adding more aspects to your goal.
Time must be measurable, attainable and realistic to achieve your goal.
It is also helpful to write down your goal and put it in a place where you will see it so that you can check your progress toward it. Lastly, think about putting visual reminder up for your goal. It might be a picture of a house, a key (to a house or car—depending on your goal) or a photo of your body when it was in shape. Get creative with it!
Most of all, welcome to the New Year! Make 2025 a great year for you!
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for January 2025
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Market Report for January 2025. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is slightly less compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices are about the same when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include seven steps you can take to get your home ready to sell this year, assets and your mortgage application—what to know, minimalist decorating tips, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for November 2024 Copy
Coldwell Banker BHL Market Report November 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is comparable to the same time last year. Overall, prices are up when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include can your garage get your home sold, what can you do if a contractor doesn’t finish a job, understanding financial gifts, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for November 2024
Coldwell Banker BHL Market Report November 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is comparable to the same time last year. Overall, prices are up when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include can your garage get your home sold, what can you do if a contractor doesn’t finish a job, understanding financial gifts, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Pricing and Amenities
Why do some homes sell more quickly than others? The first answer is typically price. If a home is priced below market value and there is a demand for homes, it will usually sell very quickly. The drawback is if you price your home too low you might be leaving money on the table. That’s a difficult balancing act. A good real estate agent should be able to give you a breakdown of how pricing will play out. Sometimes it may take a little longer—and good marketing by an agent—to get the best price. But there are other factors that must be considered when selling a home.
Often you hear that a home is “move-in ready.” Basically, that means a person can buy it and step right in and be comfortable. Homes that are move-in ready will sell more quickly. The expectation is that everything is in great shape.
Some people like newer homes and other people like older homes. Some people like the convenience of being in the city and other like being outside the city. There are good markets for both types of buyers.
With that said, sometimes everything may be in great shape but may have very dated amenities. A home with outdated trends will present some challenges.
It’s important to understand that trends will come and go. At one point in history avocado green appliances were popular. I hope you’re not waiting around for that fad to come back into style! Some other forgettable and notable fads include shag carpet, bright orange laminate countertops, wallpaper, popcorn ceilings, carpeted bathrooms, and fuzzy toilet covers—to name a few. Fads come and go—it’s a matter of being in style or being outdated.
Some people like nostalgic styles—but that market is much smaller. Also, some people may like aspects of older styles but not every aspect.
So, what is making a difference today? In 2023, Zillow looked into popular amenities. Homes with avocado appliances didn’t make list of positive features—but other kitchen options were on the list. These are the features that helped homes sell above list price:
- Steam oven | 5.3%
- Pizza oven | 3.7%
- Professional appliances | 3.6%
- Terrazzo | 2.6%
- She shed | 2.5%
- Soapstone | 2.5%
- Quartz | 2.4%
- Modern farmhouse | 2.4%
- Hurricane shutters / storm shutters | 2.3%
- Mid-century | 2.3%
They also looked at features that helped homes sell faster than normal on the market. Those features were:
- Doorbell camera | 5.1 days faster
- Soapstone | 3.8 days faster
- Open shelving | 3.5 days faster
- Heat pump | 3 days faster
- Fenced (back)yard | 2.9 days faster
- Mid-century | 2.8 days faster
- Hardwood | 2.4 days faster
- Walkability / walkable | 2.4 days faster
- Shiplap | 2.3 days faster
- Gas furnace | 2.3 days faster
Keep in mind that these are national trends and that local real estate markets are different. If you Google what helps sell homes faster, you will likely find several pages that recommend a swimming pool. That may be great for southern California or Florida, but it likely won’t help in South Dakota.
Interestingly, a few years ago (according to Realtor.com) fireplaces were mentioned in more listings than any other amenity but they had no noticeable impact in the speed in which a home sold. I personally love the ambiance of a fireplace but today you can easily get an electric fireplace that will create ambiance without the ashes. Of course, if you have a fireplace and don’t want to deal with the mess it is possible to get a gas insert for your fireplace. However, that is an expense that you are not likely to recover as it likely won’t raise your home’s value—but you may enjoy your fireplace more and you’ll have an alternative heat source.
Choice of paint colors often have an impact on how quickly a home will sell. Neutral colors are always the safe choice. Even though bold paint colors are gaining in popularity again (after a stretch when gray was the main color), neutral colors are the safe bet if you are painting an interior to sell a home. Think whites, tan, and light gray as the safest colors.
If you are debating on making a change to your home before putting it on the market, consider doing something that will make sense. Tearing out old shag carpet and replacing it with a low pile bright fuchsia carpet simply won’t do the trick. Again, think more neutral colors.
Of course, you don’t have to give your home a complete makeover to get it ready for sale. A dated home will sell as long as it is priced right—but it might take a little longer for people to look past a home with avocado and orange (unless they are fruits in a bowl).
As always, if you are looking for some feedback, suggestions, or a comparative market analysis (CMA) of your home just contact me and I will help you.
Haunted Houses and Property Disclosure Statements
Buying or selling a home shouldn’t be scary—as long as you have a good Realtor® protecting you along the way. But it’s that time of year when it’s fun to think about scary things. How about haunted houses?
Perhaps you might remember “Poltergeist” when they find out that their home was built on a cemetery. The headstones were moved but they left the bodies behind…and the ghosts stayed as well. A few years later and they could have just called “Ghostbusters” to fix the problem.
But what about real haunted houses—or at least homes where people really think it’s haunted?
Whether you are a buyer or a seller you will need to consider the property’s disclosure statement. No, there isn’t any section that provides specific information about haunting. However, in South Dakota there is a section that includes these two relevant questions:
- Since you have owned the property, are you aware of a human death by homicide or suicide occurring on the property?
- Are you aware of any other material facts or problems that have not been disclosed on this form? If yes, please explain:
Regarding the first question the wording asks if you are “aware” of an event. So, as a seller, if you are being haunted and you do some research and find out that someone was killed on the property 20 years ago, you would need to disclose that information. Homicides and suicides are events which lead to the property being referred to as “stigmatized” and will sometimes negatively impact the market for your home. In years past, property disclosures only asked for the past 12 months. Now it’s an indefinite period. Why? The buyers will likely find out about it when they move in and talk to the neighbors. That’s even more likely if the house is haunted.
In the case of a haunting, the second question listed would likely be the place a prudent seller would want to disclose that information. If you are debating on whether or not to disclose something—you absolutely should disclose it. You are much better to be safe than be held liable later.
If you are a buyer that scares off easily, you should look at that area of the property disclosure carefully. Before buying the home, you can ask for further clarification from the seller if there have been any paranormal instances.
On the national scene there have been some instances where a person failed to disclose a haunting and a potential buyer found out about it and was able to back out of the deal.
So, how would I recommend that a person market a house where they disclose and truly believe that it is haunted?
I would recommend marketing the property as being haunted. Yes, there is a smaller market for haunted homes but there are people out there who—for whatever reason—may be more inclined to buy a haunted house. It would also generate more news media which would lead to a broader spectrum of potential buyers. Besides, a 2013 survey indicates that 62% of buyers would consider purchasing a haunted house. People do not scare as easily as you think!
If you visit any of the hotels in the Black Hills that are haunted (such as the Bullock Hotel in Deadwood or the Alex Johnson in Rapid City), you will find that it’s usually harder to get the rooms where most of the haunting activity allegedly takes place—because people want to stay there. Check it out for yourself—if you dare!
I hope you have more treats than tricks in your home this Halloween! Also, don’t forget to keep your pets safe inside your home—particularly if you have a black cat.
Lastly, if you are looking for a Rapid City Realtor® who doesn’t scare easily, give me a call.
My former cat Ringo, waiting for Trick or Treaters. He passed away in the summer of 2019. However, I suspect that he may still haunt Trick or Treaters…if you suddenly feel something rub up against your leg and nothing is there it may be Ringo!
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for October 2024
Click here for the Rapid City and Black Hills Market Report for October 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market increased slightly compared to the same time last year. Overall, prices are up when compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include what to know before you change your home’s layout, fall home maintenance checklist, important reasons to keep your gutters clean, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Presidential Elections and the Housing Market
As the presidential election quickly approaches, you may be wondering what it is doing to the real estate market. The history on presidential elections and the real estate market is sketchy at best. In 2020, the 40-year history provided a very slight decrease in prices over that span. How slight? Less than 1%—actually only 0.22%. To give you an idea, that would equate to $1,100 less on a $500,000 home.
However, in 2020 prices increased which was part of coming out of the pandemic. But that increase also negated the extremely minor decrease in home prices over the past 40 years during presidential election years.
Does the presidential election have any impact on the real estate market? Yes, it does…but it is a limited impact. Some people will be more apprehensive to buy or sell due to possible pending changes in policies. However, on a broader scale, even that seems to be mostly limited to the month of November.
The biggest thing is that sometimes buyers or sellers may feel uncertain about entering the market until the ambiguity of who will be leading our country is decided. Policy changes may come after the election. No one likes uncertainty.
The good news is that our country was founded with some incredible checks and balances. People will often complain about the slow pace of government when it comes to making changes. Sometimes that slow pace works as an insulator against catastrophic change.
The biggest change that has been looming on the horizon for a while is the fate of interest rates. I do not think the outcome of the election will make much of a difference in the direction of interest rates as they have already started being reduced and may continue going lower. It’s not likely that interest rates will change quickly. Ultimately, the Federal Reserve will look at the results of the election as one less variable regarding our government’s uncertainty.
Even though the election voting has begun in some places, you may still be anxious about what the final result will be. It’s important to be grateful that you live in a free country and that there will eventually be one less uncertainty in your life. You should feel comfortable about buying or selling a home right now in the current real estate market. History indicates that elections will not radically change the housing market.
Location, Location, Location
When buying a home, you’ve probably heard the phrase a million times, “Location, location, location.” What does it really mean? Why is it so important?
One of the most interesting things about real estate is that no two properties are exactly alike. You may be thinking that you’ve seen developments with many homes that are built with the exact same floor plans and the exact same material.
It’s true that some properties may be incredibly similar, but they cannot have the same location. They may be adjacent to each other but each property has its own unique location. Barring the incredible expense of picking up a house and moving it to a different location (or a natural disaster), the location of a home will not change.
Buying a home in a location that has unique benefits can lead to better resale value. Properties that are adjacent to National Forest Service land or homes that are located next to a park provide a unique benefit for any potential buyer. Being able to walk out your back door and go for a walk through a park is a unique feature that people won’t get tired of. Some of those benefits are great for resale value.
Additionally, properties with scenic views will always be in demand—unless the view changes.
There may be vacant property located next to a home, but if that property can be built upon, that can change the marketability of your home. A good Realtor® should research the adjacent property and check the zoning so there are no surprises in the future.
Homes that are located close to downtown can also be very desirable for different reasons. The ability to walk or bike to shopping and events can be a major benefit to any homeowner or a potential buyer.
By the same token, a home that is located adjacent to an industrial park or on a very busy road may have different challenges for their specific location. Some buyers will not look at those types of locations as desirable when compared to a property adjacent to a park—though it will still appeal to some buyers. That’s also why it’s important to use a Realtor® when selling your home as he or she will have a better idea of what will appeal to a potential buyer.
Sometimes it’s turning the weakness into a strength—such as “walking distance to one of the largest employers” or “convenient for shopping.” Many potential home owners are looking for the ability to walk to places from their home. Many people enjoy being close to downtown shops. The ability to walk to restaurants and shopping can be very appealing.
When looking at a home, think about its location. Is it in a spot that will be desirable in the future—particularly as the surrounding areas develop? Is it protected from surrounding development? Will it appeal to most potential buyers?
Sometimes there can be areas that will be a planned development area with a mix of homes, apartments, parks, and shopping. Knowing what the long-term plan for a development can be helpful. If there is a good plan with plenty of forethought, a home’s value may increase significantly over time. Sometimes a developer will have a long-term plan for the area that you can view if requested.
There are many aspects of location to consider. A good real estate professional can help you discern the strengths and weaknesses of any location.
When you see “Location, location, location” realize that it is the most important aspect of real estate. If you’re looking for a home in a specific location, contact me and I can help you find it.
Settling Cracks: When to Worry and How to Protect your Foundation
Many homes will experience settling cracks. As the home adjusts to its place in the world (and the soils beneath it adjust to the pressure), a home will settle into its location. Settling typically occurs in the first three years of a home’s existence.
When a house settles, it may create some small, thin cracks that create minor cosmetic issues. Those cracks typically can be patched up with a little bit of spackle. Sometimes thin cracks may appear in the foundation as it settles. If the home was constructed properly, these should not create any issues.
However, there are times when some cracks create a more serious concern than normal settling. Soil plasticity—or expansive soils—can create issues.
What are expansive soils? They are soils that will expand when they get wet and contract when they dry. If moisture is constant, the problems are not as significant. However, in an area like ours where years of drought can be followed by torrential rain, the expansion will be much worse.
What’s so bad about expansive soils? Soils that expand and then contract will wreak havoc on anything that is rests in or on that soil. Expansive soils can exert a tremendous amount of pressure per square inch. If it’s someone’s home, their foundation can heave and damage the structure of the home. Once a home’s foundation is damaged, it’s extremely expensive to repair—far more expensive than most people can afford.
How can you be safe? The first thing is to check for cracks. Even small cracks in a foundation can cause problems if they are wide enough for water to penetrate it. Caulking and sealing cracks will be worth your time and effort in the long run.
Keeping water from a foundation is important. Too often people do not pay attention to their downspouts and if they are not properly cleaned or extended, the water will flow against the foundation. Downspouts should always be extended away from your home’s foundation. Downspout extensions are a minor investment to protect your foundation.
If gutters become clogged up, water will overflow and land against your foundation as well. Make sure that your gutters are cleaned out.
Also, the soil near the foundation should be graded to slope away from the foundation, allowing water to naturally flow away from it. This may require a little bit of gardening-type work.
Often older homes will require some work to repair to the grade around the house so it slopes away. This is fairly common because over time rain will erode the slope. Even if there aren’t any signs of water penetration it is still a great idea to improve the slope so that water will move away from your foundation.
Concrete pads such as patios or walkways should also slope away from your foundation. You don’t want to have one sloped the wrong direction, bringing water to your foundation.
When buying a home, you should always make sure that you have a home inspection done. Ideally the home inspector will be able to alleviate your fears. If not, you may realize that the home inspection was money well spent. If more concerns are raised it may be worthwhile to get an engineer’s opinion if you are still interested in the property.
An engineer may get soil samples by boring into the foundation to see what is beneath it. They will look at what is directly beneath the foundation and examine the contents by drilling a small core. They may require multiple samples to determine the extent of the problem (if there is one). They will look at the sub base and the soil to see how well it is compacted and if the extent of the soil’s plasticity and moisture content. If the engineer sees a concern, he or she can provide recommendations on how to repair the problem—and sometimes the potential cost to repair the problem.
Again, keep in mind that most cracks are harmless and aren’t a cause for concern. Being proactive to protect your home and being thorough when buying a home will be important so protect your investment for the long term.
Smells, Scents and Odors
“Ooooh that smell
Can’t you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you” – from “That Smell” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
The southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd weren’t talking about home smells, but the chorus works for it. Many home owners who are trying to sell their home may have an uphill battle if their home has unpleasant smells. There is nothing that will turn off a potential buyer more than an odor that draws attention to itself. It can be the death of any possible sale—or at least result in a lower purchase price. There’s a big difference between selling your home and smelling your home!
By the same token, a scent that is pleasant may have a positive impact on a potential home buyer.
Some popular unpleasant scents include pet odors, cigarette smells, lingering smell of bacon grease, garlic, and fish to name a few. Most times the home owner who has been living with the smell doesn’t notice it as much as a potential home buyer will.
How do you determine pleasant scents? That is in the eye…or rather nose…of the beholder.
Some people will make the mistake of covering up a bad smell with something that is so strong that it can trigger a gag reflex. It also makes people wonder, “What are they hiding?”
If you know you will have people going through your home and you have a cat, make sure that the litter box has been scooped and changed. Maybe it’s time for your dog to have another bath. You also probably don’t want to have fast food in your home just before an open house.
If you have the ability to vacate your home for half a day (and that includes your pets) you can also try using an ozone generator to neutralize any odor. An ozone generator causes a molecular change by generating ozone (O3) and causing an actual change in the smell. They are often available for rent at equipment rental stores. I purchased one to use on vacant homes if needed. After using an ozone generator, the air may smell like lightning just came through. However, as noted, you need to vacate the home during an ozone treatment as it can cause respiratory problems. However, within an hour after an ozone treatment, the ozone dissipates. If you have the chance to air out the home after treatment, that would be best.
When it comes to good smells for open houses—try baking cookies or an apple pie just before an open house may be a way to get buyers thinking about “home”…as long as you don’t burn either and you can clean up the mess well before your open house starts. If you have enough time, take a stroll through the house with the freshly baked item to really spread the scent.
If your home has a garden or you want to splurge a bit, consider using some fresh cut flowers or purchase flowers for a pleasant smell and for added décor.
Keep in mind that creating a home environment with pleasant aromas means that you have a much better chance of sniffing out a sale in the near future.
Historical Perspective on 30-Year Mortgage Interest Rates
Over the past two years, interest rates have been climbing. Expectations by most economists are that interest rates will level off and potentially decline again. Most projections have 30-year mortgage interest rates falling below 7% this year and eventually falling to the low 6% range (or high 5% range) for next year. Some people may look at those numbers and think they still seem very high.
Here’s the catch, in 2021 interest rates were near record lows. The record low 30-year mortgage rate was 2.65% set in January 2021. The 30-year mortgage rate is now right around 7.35%. To give you some perspective, let’s take a look at where interest rates have been in the past.
Prior to April 2022, the last time interest rates were above 5% was back in April 2010. That’s a 12-year stretch below 5% according to data provided by Freddie Mac. Prior to September 2022, the last time interest rates were above 6% was in May of 2008.
But, it’s important to look at perspective. Going further back, November 1990 was the last time interest rates were above 10 percent. Curious what the high watermark for 30-year mortgage rates were? In October 1981 interest rates peaked at a whopping18.63 percent!
As you can see, rates change but they typically do not change very quickly. I would hope that we will never return to the exorbitant interest rates of the 1980’s.
For a $300,000 home, the difference of a half percentage point increase on a 30-year mortgage interest rate will mean your monthly payment will change by roughly $93.00. That may not be a lot, but it adds up over the life of a loan. Also, an interest rate increase could mean that you may not qualify to buy as big of a house as you would like—so you should keep that in mind if you are targeting a particular price point.
From 1971 to 2023, the average 30-year interest rate was 7.75%. We are currently right around 0.4% below that average.
If you have been approved for a mortgage but haven’t bought a home yet, make sure that you touch base with your lender to make sure that the rate that you were quoted did not change significantly. If it did, your payment will go up and your buying power will go down.
Right now, interest rates may seem high compared to where they have been in the last ten years—but historically, they are not unusually high. When I bought my first home in 1993, I was able to get an incredible interest rate of 6.75%! Back then interest rates were usually running between 7% to 8%.
Over the years, many people would purchase a home with a higher interest rate and then refinance that home at a lower rate when interest rates went down. This is something that will likely be a great option in the future.
One of the biggest advantages of buying a home is the ability to build equity. It is much like a forced savings account. You are getting something for your money with each mortgage payment that you make. Renting does not provide that benefit. Also, as noted, if you find your dream home and then refinance in the future with a lower interest rate, you will actually be paying less per month for your mortgage. Keep in mind that typically doesn’t happen when you are renting.
As always, if you’re thinking about buying or selling, give me a call, send me an e-mail, or send me a text at (605) 593-3759.
Location, View and Clean Windows!
Location, location, location! It’s a cliché that you hear nearly every time you have a discussion about real estate. Why? Every single piece of property is unique. Its location is unique—and it can be either good or bad.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some people prefer city views and the conveniences that come with being inside a city. Others prefer a view of the hills or a creek and want to have some space…the final frontier…
So, location is unique and will always play a role in the marketability of a home—for better or for worse. The ability to sell a home that is located on a busy street may be a challenge. At the same time, a home that is in a business section of town may become more valuable for the land and location for a business, but not necessarily as a home.
Buying a home on a very busy street may be less expensive than a similar home in a quiet neighborhood. But, also keep in mind that resale value may not appreciate as rapidly due to the location and view. These are all considerations to think about.
Views are something that I believe are often overlooked in real estate. Sometimes a home may be on a sloped lot and have a steeper driveway, or it might be a raised ranch—but it may provide far superior views when compared to the home right next to it that does not have the same slope.
I believe it is a real estate professional’s job to find those things that make a home more appealing. For example, if a home has a clear view of Black Elk Peak (formerly called Harney Peak)—even at a distance—it’s still a visual reward and an enticement for people to purchase a home.
If your home is fortunate enough to have a great view, make sure that your windows are clean if you are putting it on the market. A clean window will help a person feel as though they are closer to the beautiful scenery than if they were separated by a dirty window. Clean windows also will let in more natural light. It’s amazing the difference it can make in the view and the feel of a home.
All too often there aren’t photos of the views that a home can provide. Many times a lower priced home will have a great view—it’s just not marketed. I believe that aspect is important when selling any home.
When I was at an open house selling a home that required a person to climb a dozen steps to get to the main front door, many people would complain about the steps. The first thing I would do is to suggest that they turn around and look at the view. The next comment was always something like, “Oh, wow!” Then I’d point out that the stairs make that beautiful view possible. Suddenly, the stairs weren’t the same obstacle for a buyer. Instead they became a stairway to heaven!
Remember that each and every piece of real estate is unique. Share what you love about your location and the view of your home. Do trees bloom with flowers in the spring? Is your home close to a store that most people would love? Is it just convenient to almost everything? Do you have a view you enjoy—hills, park, lake, or even unique architecture?
Even though people may love different things about your home than you do, there is always a good chance that someone may fall in love with the same feature that you did.
Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for April 2024
Click here for a link to the Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for April 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is comparable to the same time last year. Prices are higher compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include tax advantages of buying a home, surprising ways to invest in your house, the sweet spot of pricing your home, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Rare Disease Day – Changes to Your Home
Rare Disease Day always falls on the last day of February. Rare Disease Day started in 2008 on February 29th…this year it will fall on February 29th.
The goal of Rare Disease Day is to create awareness across the entire spectrum. From making individuals become more aware of rare diseases and individual struggles, to making policy makers, researchers and health professionals more aware.
Why is it important? Studies indicate that one in ten to one in 20 people will experience a rare disease at some point during their lifetime. That’s 5-10% of the population.
Most rare diseases do not have a cure. Often research funding is lacking even though the impact of the disease may be very significant for the person affected by it. Too often researchers and policy makers will overlook rare diseases.
Health professionals may not be aware of some rare diseases and critical treatment time may be lost.
Some rare diseases may force a change in your lifestyle that may require a change in the type of home that you have.
For instance, when a person is suddenly affected by a rheumatic disease, he or she may have difficulty navigating the stairs in a home. Daily struggles with this can be difficult if a person has mobility issues and lives in a multi-level home.
A ranch style home is much more conducive for the long term. A split foyer can work if most of the daily living can be done on one of the levels. It can be particularly helpful to have laundry on the same floor to prevent the struggle of climbing or descending stairs while also carrying a load of laundry.
It’s good to explore other options in the home that can make things more convenient, such as having a garage that has easy access to the kitchen for transporting groceries.
There are also many things that you can do to a home to make life a little easier, such as utilizing smart devices. You can use smart devices to turn on lights, change your thermostat’s temperature, see who is knocking at your door, and more.
If you or someone you know is thinking that it might be time to explore moving to a home with fewer stairs, I will gladly help and I work hard to make the process as stress-free as possible.
I have a greater understanding of the challenges of a rare disease. I have a systemic scleroderma, which is a very rare disease. I am very fortunate that I was diagnosed early on.
Systemic scleroderma, (also called systemic sclerosis), is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease.
The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly for each person, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life threatening. The seriousness will depend on the parts of the body, which are affected, and the extent to which they are affected. A mild case can become more serious if not properly treated.
It’s estimated that about 300,000 Americans have scleroderma. About one third of those people have the systemic form of scleroderma. Systemic scleroderma can cause fibrosis in the lungs, cause kidney failure, and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Interestingly, the pulmonary fibrosis that severe scleroderma can cause is very similar to the pulmonary fibrosis caused by severe COVID.
Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult. There may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases.
Actor Robin Williams noted in an interview in 2002, “You can make up a joke about almost anything,” says Williams. “But to tell you the truth, there isn’t even one tiny aspect of this disease which lends itself to humor. Scleroderma is a horrible disease…” (USA Today)
Comedian and actor Bob Saget had dedicated much of his life to raising awareness and supporting scleroderma research. He had lost his sister to scleroderma and also made a movie, “For Hope,” about the disease and his sister’s battle with it.
Scleroderma also has an arthritic component to it and can sometimes present similarly to another rare disease, rheumatoid arthritis. I have experienced the challenges of navigating flights of stairs when having a rheumatic flair up. It’s not fun. I used to live in a home that required me to go down two flights of stairs to do laundry. Now I live in a ranch home and it is much easier.
I am fortunate that I can be active. I am an avid runner. Ironically, I can run 10 miles but I look a little awkward walking down a set of stairs. Also, if I sit for too long, my body gets very stiff. As a result, I stay active and typically get 10,000 steps a day (that’s about five miles of walking). The overwhelming majority of people with scleroderma aren’t that fortunate.
Thanks for taking some time to learn about my rare disease. If you need help moving to a different home that may be better for you in the long term, please give me call and I will gladly help you.
Selling a Home? What Should You Disclose?
When you think about selling your home, you might be debating what you should disclose. Should you write about the time you left your drain spouts up and your basement got flooded? What about that small leak in the roof that was repaired?
These are questions that many home sellers ask themselves when they sit down to fill out a disclosure form. In South Dakota, a disclosure form must be completed for every home—even if the current owner has never lived in it. There are some exceptions—estate sales, foreclosures, bank owned properties, new construction that has never been lived in, and transfers between immediate family members (including grandparents to grandchildren).
If you think this is only a real estate professional issue, think again—all for sale by owner properties must also provide a property disclosure statement. They just may not realize it. That is just one of the many reasons to use a real estate professional. But back to property disclosures…
If you are thinking about trying to hide a problem from a potential buyer, think again. Most home sales will (and should) include a home inspection. A good home inspection should pick up on any problems that may have been hidden. When that happens, a potential buyer will often think, “They should have known about that. What else are they hiding?” Being less than honest is one way to kill a deal.
If you’ve dealt with a problem and repaired it—that shows that you have taken care of your home—which is a positive for a potential home buyer. Would you rather buy a home where you know it has had some problems in the past or a home where it appears a homeowner is hiding something?
Selling a home “as-is” does not eliminate your liability from disclosing. If you know about a problem you should disclose it. Was the home a rental that you never lived in and you want to claim you didn’t know about anything in the home? Imagine someone buying the home, moving in and then having a sewer line back up. They call for service and the service technician announces to the new homeowner that they had been to the home before and reported that the sewer line needed to be replaced. Legally that’s not a good scenario….and it can and has happened.
Even if you haven’t dealt with or fixed the problem, it’s best to disclose an issue that may be lurking in your home.
If you’ve had hail damage and received money for the claim, you need to disclose that. You also need to disclose if you had not repaired the damage…or if you only repaired part of the damage. For instance, you have replaced the shingles but did not replace the gutters and downspouts because they still work in spite of the dents. You should disclose that. Otherwise, it could be uncovered during a home inspection and when a potential buyer’s insurance company looks at past claims and inspects the property.
There are some more unusual things to disclose. Did you find out that someone was murdered in your home? Did someone die by a suicide? Those tragic events are considered to “stigmatize” a property. They need to be disclosed if you find out about it within the previous year. What that means is that if you find out that someone was murdered in your home 15 years ago, but you just found out about it within the year, you are mandated to disclose it.
Though you are not required to disclose a murder or suicide that you were aware of longer than a year ago, depending on the situation you may want to disclose it anyway. Why? When people put an offer in on a home, they may begin spending some time in the neighborhood, checking out where they will live. It is likely that they may talk to a neighbor who will inform them of the history. At that point, your pending sale could be in jeopardy.
What if you think your home is haunted? Do you need to disclose that? South Dakota law does not require it; however, I would recommend that you disclose it. In the past people have tried to get out of contracts or tried to sue because they thought a home was haunted and it wasn’t disclosed. A survey that was done indicated that an overwhelming majority of people would not be concerned about buying a home that people believe was haunted. You won’t be scaring off many potential buyers (pun intended).
No one wants to end up in court over selling their home. Disclosure of any problems you are aware of will lower your legal liability and provide more protection for you and ideally your Realtor®.
In summary, if you’re not sure about disclosing something about the home you’re selling, go ahead and disclose it. You won’t have to worry about a problem being uncovered later in the process and whoever buys your home will know what they are getting and can plan to address any unresolved issues.
February 2024 Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report
Click here for a link to the Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for February 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market is comparable to the same time last year. Prices are comparable to a year ago, though slightly lower. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include whether or not home improvements are tax deductible, what to do when an appraisal comes in low, what does it mean to build equity, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
January 2024 Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report
Click here for a link to the Rapid City and Black Hills Real Estate Market Report for January 2024. The number of active listings on the market increased from the same time last year. The average days on the market has increased slightly compared to the same time last year. Prices have also increased and are higher compared to a year ago. The real estate market report also includes several interesting articles. Topics include should you buy a home warranty, seven steps to take to prepare to sell your home this year, what exactly is a rate lock, the Black Hills Events calendar, and more!
As always, if you are looking at buying or selling a home give me a call at (605) 593-3759.
Decorating for the Holidays When Your Home is For Sale
Selling a home during the holidays can be a great opportunity. Inventory is typically lower and the people shopping for a new home are usually serious buyers. Keep in mind that they are doing their shopping at open houses instead of stores.
Homeowners are often uncertain about how they should decorate for the holidays. Here are some ideas of what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. For example, you absolutely should avoid doing the “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” home style decorating!
In all seriousness, you do not want to decorate in a way that would distract a potential home buyer. They are looking to see your home. They don’t want to see an abundance of lights that can be seen from a satellite orbiting the Earth.
Subtle decorating also makes more sense. Rather than strings of lights throughout your home, think about some white lights on the fireplace mantle. White lights will also brighten your home a bit during a time of year when the days are shorter and homes may seem a little darker.
Also, rather than using an abundance of bold colors consider trying to stay as neutral as possible to fit in with your home and only have some small splashes of color that are not overpowering. Silver, gold, green, white, and some red, are fine. You don’t want a potential home buyer’s eye to be drawn to your decorations rather than your home.
Keep it simple and on the subtle side.
If you have a Christmas tree, it’s best to have one that is not too large. Keep in mind that a large tree will make a room look smaller and feel cluttered. Again, stick with simple ornaments. With any decorating it’s always best to avoid ornaments with family photos as that can make it harder for a potential home buyer to envision your home as their home.
Most importantly, enjoy the holidays! A buyer may be coming through your door and giving you a Christmas present of a solid offer on your home!
Haunted Houses – What Should You Disclose?
Buying or selling a home shouldn’t be scary—as long as you have a good Realtor® protecting you along the way. But it’s that time of year when it’s fun to think about scary things. How about haunted houses?
Perhaps you might remember “Poltergeist” when they find out that their home was built on a cemetery. The headstones were moved but they left the bodies behind…and the ghosts stayed as well. A few years later and they could have just called “Ghostbusters” to fix the problem.
But what about real haunted houses—or at least homes where people really think it’s haunted?
Whether you are a buyer or a seller you will need to consider the property’s disclosure statement. No, there isn’t any section that provides specific information about haunting. However, in South Dakota there is a section that includes these two relevant questions:
- Since you have owned the property, are you aware of a human death by homicide or suicide occurring on the property?
- Are you aware of any other material facts or problems that have not been disclosed on this form? If yes, please explain:
Regarding the first question the wording asks if you are “aware” of an event. So, as a seller, if you are being haunted and you do some research and find out that someone was killed on the property 20 years ago, you would need to disclose that information. Homicides and suicides are events which lead to the property being referred to as “stigmatized” and will sometimes negatively impact the market for your home. In years past, property disclosures only asked for the past 12 months. Now it’s an indefinite period. Why? The buyers will likely find out about it when they move in and talk to the neighbors. That’s even more likely if the house is haunted.
In the case of a haunting, the second question listed would likely be the place a prudent seller would want to disclose that information. If you are debating on whether or not to disclose something—you absolutely should disclose it. You are much better to be safe than be held liable later.
If you are a buyer that scares off easily, you should look at that area of the property disclosure carefully. Before buying the home, you can ask for further clarification from the seller if there have been any paranormal instances.
On the national scene there have been some instances where a person failed to disclose a haunting and a potential buyer found out about it and was able to back out of the deal.
So, how would I recommend that a person market a house where they disclose and truly believe that it is haunted?
I would recommend marketing the property as being haunted. Yes, there is a smaller market for haunted homes but there are people out there who—for whatever reason—may be more inclined to buy a haunted house. It would also generate more news media which would lead to a broader spectrum of potential buyers. Besides, a 2013 survey indicates that 62% of buyers would consider purchasing a haunted house. People do not scare as easily as you think!
If you visit any of the hotels in the Black Hills that are haunted (such as the Bullock Hotel in Deadwood or the Alex Johnson in Rapid City), you will find that it’s usually harder to get the rooms where most of the haunting activity allegedly takes place—because people want to stay there. Check it out for yourself—if you dare!
I hope you have more treats than tricks in your home this Halloween! Also, don’t forget to keep your pets safe inside your home—particularly if you have a black cat.
Lastly, if you are looking for a Rapid City Realtor® who doesn’t scare easily, give me a call.
My former cat Ringo, waiting for Trick or Treaters. He passed away in the summer of 2019. However, I suspect that he may still haunt Trick or Treaters…if you suddenly feel something rub up against your leg and nothing is there it may be Ringo!
