Landscape Professional Selection
March 9, 2010 by Linda · Leave a Comment
Before you being to interview landscape professionals, take a moment to think about what you want and need from your outdoor living spaces. Consider how you will use the space from day to day, whether it’s casual gatherings of friends and family, large formal parties, or a combination of these. You may want to look at books and magazines for ideas, and start a file of the elements you like – plants, patios, pools, fences and sculptures – that you want to try and incorporate into your plan. Also, determine what kind of maintenance regimen you’d like to have with the finished product, whether it’s hiring a service to taking the time to tend to plants and outdoor living areas on your own. Once you have a general idea of where you want the project to go, start the interview process with the landscape professional you have found. If you need help selecting them, there are many Web sites to search through, including the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Firm Finder database (asla.org/firmfinder) or the Association of Professional Landscape Designers’ member database (apld.com/apldmembers).
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONAL
1.) What is your design philosophy? How would it complement and realize my objectives? Are there specific approaches you think would best suit my project?
2.) What is your experience? Have you worked on similar projects, and, if so, what measures did you take to ensure a seamless process and successful outcome?
3.) What steps will you take to understand and accomplish my goals? What else can I expect from you throughout the process to help guarantee a positive experience?
4.) What do you see as the important issues or considerations for my project? What are the potential challenges and how do you plan to overcome them?
5.) May I contact your former clients as references?
DEFINE YOUR PROJECT
Ask yourself these questions before you contact a landscape professional to determine what kind of design you’ll need.
1.) How would you like to use your landscape (to enhance your home’s curb appeal; improve your home’s impact on the environment; outdoor recreation, etc.)?
2.) What landscape elements are you considering (adding native trees and other plantings; lighting; outdoor kitchen/entertaining areas, etc.)?
3.) How do you feel about landscape maintenance? Is this something you enjoy or would rather have someone else oversee? Are you concerned with the environmental impact maintenance will require?
Abstracted from Luxe – Interiors and Design – The American Society of Landscape Architects
INTERIOR DESIGN SELECTION FOR YOUR PALM BEACH HOME
March 5, 2010 by Linda · Leave a Comment
The first step for any interior design project is to contemplate what you want and need from your Palm Beach home, including what activities will take place and what type of image you want it to project. Once you have a basic concept, it’s time to search for designers whose work and credentials meet your needs. Ask people whose tastes and judgment you trust to suggest the names of designers you may want to interview. You can also visit the American Society of Interior Designers online at asid.org to find accredited designers in your area. Since you will be working closely with the designer, you’ll want someone who listens to your ideas and concerns, and makes appropriate decisions accordingly. Ask to see the designer’s portfolio, and request a list of relevant experience and client references. Be sure the designer has experience in the type and scale of project you are doing, and demonstrates creativity and talent.
5 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOU INTERIOR DESIGNER
1.) What education, training and interior design experience do you have? What are some of your professional affiliations?
2.) What services do you provide and what can be done to help me understand your design process?
3.) How long will it take to complete my project within my desired timetable?
4.) What steps will you take to gain an appreciation for my aesthetic ideals and lifestyle needs?
5.) How will you communicate concepts and help me better understand the design process? How will you articulate your ideas to help me visualize the finished product?
INTERIOR DESIGN ESSTIALS
To ensure you home reflects your personality and Palm Beach lifestyle, make certain your interior designer understands your point of view. The more detailed you are, the better. Following are a few tips to consider.
Start a “Look Book”
This is a binder or folder of ideas. Tear out pictures of rooms, furniture, colors and fabrics that you like from magazines, and then share these with your designer.
Explain Your Daily Rituals
Do you throw your mail and keys down the minute you walk through the door? Do you enjoy your morning coffee on the patio? Do you entertain often? Answers to all these lifestyle questions can help a designer layout your furniture and accessories in a way that will suit your routine and make your home livable.
Form and Function
Your decor needs to be attractive and functional in order for you to be happy. The wear and tear of your daily living can strongly determine what fabrics and finishes your designer should select.
Why Use a REALTOR®?
March 4, 2010 by Linda · Leave a Comment
- Abstracted from Realtor.com
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR “®” logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.
But if you’re still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:
1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power — that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders — banks and mortgage companies — offer limited choices.
2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you’ll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.
9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing — a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
Browse Seasonal Home Rentals in Palm Beach
March 3, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Are you looking to rent a home for the season ?
Come to Palm Beach experience the best of what Florida has to offer – Great shopping, fine dining, and the most beautiful beaches you have ever seen! For those fortunate enough to spend the season in Palm Beach, single family homes can be the perfect place for some rest and relaxation with the family.
Take a look at some homes for rent in Palm Beach.
Can a real estate agent really help me in buying and selling property? The answer is YES!
March 3, 2010 by Linda · Leave a Comment
- Abstracted from Who’s Who in Real Estate, The Advocate Greenwich Time
When you’re ready to think about buying or selling your property, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? If you were one of the do-it-yourself people, would the results be as good or better than they would be as good or better than they would be if you had professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you more personal time? Would you have purchased for less, or sold for more, if a real estate agent was involved? Read the following information and learn how a real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about a real estate transaction.
The Buying Process
The Process of buying a home or investment generally starts with determining your buyer power; that is, you financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a real estate agent some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, they can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -banks and mortgage companies – offer limited choices.
Finding
Once you know how much you can and want to invest, the next step is to find the properties that most nearly fit your needs. This is the time to choose a real estate licensee. When picking a real estate agent look for one who is also a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, a real estate trade association, and all members agree to abide by a 17 article Code of Ethics. A REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in that search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.
Selecting
Your job is to make the final selection of the right property for you. This is when excitement and emotion run high. Your real estate agent can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, etc. There are two things you’ll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?
Negotiating
There are a myriad of negotiating factors, including, but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should also provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.
Due Diligence
With a negotiated agreement in hand, it is time to complete the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your agent can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your agent, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.
Financing
As soon as you are reasonably sure the property is right for you, the process of obtaining financing begins. Your agent can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.
Closing or Settlement
Finally, there is the closing, or settlement, as it is known in different parts of the country. Every area has its own unique customs. In some areas, the title or escrow company will handle this process. In other parts of the country, an attorney does it all. Again, your real estate agent can guide you through this process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.
Selling Real Estate Pricing
This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your real estate agent can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms, and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimal hassle.
Marketing
The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your agent can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the stability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listings Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.
Security
When the property is marketing with the agent help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Agents will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.
Negotiating
The negotiation process deals with much the same issues for both buyers and sellers, as noted above under the buying process. Your agent can help you objectively evaluate every buyer’s proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of the process of appraisals, inspections, and financing – a lot of possible pitfalls. Your agent can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.
Monitoring, Renegotiating, and Closing
Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your agent is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).
How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid?
Real estate agents or brokers are generally paid through the sales commission paid by the seller when a transaction closes. Agents have expenses and financial obligations just like you, so it will be to your mutual benefit if you choose a real estate agent and stick with that person. The agent will respect your loyalty and respond with a sincere commitment to you.
Why a REALTOR®?
All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR® logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.
Using a REALTOR®
You Be the Judge!
Real Estate transactions involve of of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®!
