Real Estate Archives - Pehr Black

The Importance of Cleaning Your Windows

October 25, 2016 By Pehr Black

If you want your house to present well to buyers, I recommend cleaning your windows. Whether you hire someone or clean them yourself, this is an important step for sellers.

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Cleaning your windows is a really important step in the home selling process. This step won’t cost you much money and you can do it yourself. You need to clean your windows if you want your house to present well.

I recommend cleaning your windows at least twice a year. Most people clean their windows in the fall and spring. That said, if your windows are dirty in the winter or summer, you still need to clean them. Still, the spring and summer are the best times to clean your windows.

If you hire a window cleaning service, they will clean the outside of the windows first and then come in to clean the inside. They will also clean the borders and you can usually get them to take care of the screens for an extra fee.

Cleaning the lightbulbs in high ceilings or cleaning ceiling fans is not part of a normal window cleaning service. That said, as long as they are there with their ladders, I would recommend paying them to take care of those things, too.

If nothing else, I definitely recommend that you have them clean your window screens. Bugs and spiders like to hang out in screens, so they can be particularly dirty.

If you are interested in hiring a window cleaning service, I recommend Israel from Premier Window Cleaning. You can give him a call at 208-226-5197 or check out PWCIdaho.com for more information. Israel is an honest guy who will do a good job without overcharging you.

I think cleaning the windows is an absolute must before you put your home on the market. In fact, you should get them cleaned before the professional photographer comes out to take pictures of your home.

If you have any other questions about preparing your home for the market or about real estate in general, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

CDA Real Estate Update May 2016

May 26, 2016 By Pehr Black

CDA Real Estate Update May 2016

Our real estate market is booming! Many first time home buyers are moving in to the area, and it is putting some severe strain on our local housing markets. Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, and Post Falls housing prices are steadily increasing as we get into the middle of “real estate” season. Across the board home values have moved up by a few percentage points!

As Realtors, we have seen more buyers then ever looking to get into homes! Searches for homes between 225-279k have increased by over 30% since the start of the year. Also, people are upgrading homes in amazing numbers. We’re talking the people that bought starter homes 2-5 years ago. They are moving into the mid priced (300-425k) houses they use to dream about! With all the upward momentum, we should expect this home purchasing trend to continue into the foreseeable future! If you have recently considered selling your home NOW IS THE TIME! We have recently added more members to our team to handle our incredible amount of buyer traffic. The Pehr Black Super Team NEEDS YOU! We’re having unprecedented amounts of buyers looking for YOUR home. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Home Prices have never in our history been higher!
Homes are listed (on the MLS) for 20% less time then the last 5 years!
More people are moving to Coeur d’Alene then Boise!
Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and Spokane are all adding jobs at twice the normal rate for Idaho state!

There really has never been a better time to sell! The Pehr Black Super Team has recently been contacting every home owner in Coeur d’Alene with free information about your home’s updated value. If you would like to request a free comparative market analysis, please email us today! We also provide the most accurate online home valuation tool for your convenience. We are ready to help at a moments notice. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

This has been the CDA Real Estate Update for May 2016.

Pehr Black out!

Super Hot Selling Tips: Exterior Home Staging

May 19, 2016 By Pehr Black

This weeks super hot selling tip is a doozy on exterior home staging! If you often read my blog, you know that 95% of the work for selling your home is done by your Realtor. They do marketing, buyer contact, showing, etc…the list practically never ends. One of the most influential things to do as a seller is proper home staging.

Exterior Home staging is basically what it sounds like: how to best set up your home exterior for the best first impression. There are a few pointers that I want to give you that make the biggest impact on how your home will amaze buyers!

Mowing and Trimming. I think we all know this, but you would be shocked how many people choose to ignore simple lawn care! When a buyer comes to your house, they are looking for their dream home, and that home comes straight out of hollywood with perfectly coifed lawn and landscape! Cater to them, and make your lawn look beautiful. You only get one chance to set a first impression, so set an amazing one! Also (while I’m at it) get a nice new “welcome” doormat.
Potted Plants. Seriously, I almost didn’t write this down, but it absolutely applies. Buy a few plants for the walkway/entry to your home. It creates a pleasant and welcome atmosphere for the home.
Outdoor Maintenance 2.0. Back to first impressions. When selling, the exterior condition of your home is hugely important. Depending on your home value it is absolutely worth the cost to power wash your driveway, sidewalk, and home exterior. An exterior paint job can oftentimes pay for itself as well, depending on your specific home. Last thing: CLEAN OUT THE GUTTERS! Little changes make huge differences, and in this case the difference is more cash!
Outdoor Lighting. Oftentimes when a buyer is really interested in your house, they will stop by at different times of the day and night (creating that dreamlike atmosphere we all get when looking at new houses). Make sure your outdoor lights are all in working condition, and replace any broken ones. It will pick up the look of the place for potential night visitors!

Thats it for this week! By implementing a few of these suggestions, we can price your home even more competitively! The cost to value curve is extremely skewed to the sellers advantage! Exterior home staging will put thousands more in your pocket, so don’t skimp!

Pehr Black Out!

Coeur d’Alene is the new Boise!

May 9, 2016 By Pehr Black

Coeur d’Alene is the new Boise in Idaho state. Lets review the facts!

About ten years ago, Boise was ranked one of the nations hottest growing technology centers. Tech gurus flocked to the area because real estate was incredibly affordable, and Boise had the space to grow into a tech Mecca! In terms of state demographics, Boise started booming in population and all was well in the world. But there is a fundamental problem with Boise (if you have ever been there): the weather is hot, the landscape is flat, and theres no natural beauty. The “new way to work” movement has created highly talented young people that naturally flock to tech companies, and they also require “perks.” One of these perks is a beautiful place to live! Coeur d’Alene has long been a unique vacation stop for the United States. We get thousands upon thousands of summer visitors every year! For a long time we (the residents) have been able to keep our great city a secret, but its starting to get out! Coeur d’Alene offers to many opportunities for young tech workers to ignore, and we are starting to see a transition in the real estate market.

Coeur d’Alene Area

Every year, there are millions of studies done on virtually every subject you can imagine. In real estate, the Pehr Black Super Team keeps our ear to the ground! This technology movement is going to rapidly start to increase in the next few years as more and more millennials move in to the area! Kootenai county is very spread out, but with a brief read of the CDA Press its easy to follow the growth trends in real estate. What does it mean for us? More completive market space, less home inventory, and better return on your housing investment.

Keeping focused on our Real estate trends is part of what we do differently. We are deeply concerned with getting our sellers and buyers the best deals possible. If you are looking to buy or sell now is the time! Our area is about to grow faster then ever before, and we want to ride the tide to selling success!

Coeur d’Alene is the new Boise? Its only the beginning!

The Hottest Year in Decades!

April 11, 2016 By Pehr Black

This is already the hottest real estate year in decades! Houses are literally flying off local inventory shelves! If you have been considering selling your home, now is the time! The Pehr Black super team specializes in keeping our ear to the ground, and we have never had the buyer volume we are currently experiencing!

This year, we have started rolling out several new technology products. This is due in part from additional buyer pressure for updated tools, and more exposure for our sellers listings. At the Pehr Black Super Team we strive to stay ahead of the curve in all aspects of real estate, and here’s a few of our most efficient tools:

Over the years we have received tons of buyer feedback about real estate listings. Unilaterally, everyone has asked for a great tool while searching the MLS. Using this feedback we created CDATopagent.com! This website is designed to receive up the the minute MLS listing data, recent solds, and home valuation tools. We believe it is the best search site for the region, and often recommend it to our buyers/sellers.

I have also been working with Get Vyral Marketing, one of the top real estate groups in the world, to produce a video blog series. You can find these videos here on my website, as well any major social media platforms (just search for Pehr Black)!

Currently, our team is working on a series of websites specifically for sellers. This will include instant contact with our team, tips and tricks, and latest Coeur d’Alene seller’s info!

All these changes are designed to bolster the Pehr Black Super Team as your local leader for Coeur d’Alene real estate!
Whichever agent or office you choose to work with should keep up with the “fiery market!” If you want to sell your home quickly, work with the best team available!

I can’t wait to show you what’s coming!

Pehr Black out!

Super Hot Selling Tips: Marketing

April 9, 2016 By Pehr Black

In real estate, one of our buzzwords is “marketing.” Ask a dozen people, and you will get a dozen answers. Successfully marketing your property costs a lot of money and is difficult to master! When asked your Realtor will give you an answer, but make sure its the right answer!

Get listed on the MLS quickly. Don’t delay on getting your MLS listing online. This exposes your home to thousands of different search sites and instantly starts getting results. This is standard with any listing agent.
Check your homes positioning. Most Realtors will skip this step. Knowing which candidates will likely buy your home is important. When we list your home, we identify the target audience for purchasing it. This directly impacts the amount of time your house is on the market.
Make sure you have professional photos. Any listings with the Pehr Black Super Team are professionally shot and edited. Your photos need to come from a professional who specializes in home photography. This oftentimes expands to newer marketing channels such as drone videos and virtual tours if they apply to your property.
Check your Realtors print ads. Not all Realtors ad space is the same! We (The Pehr Black Super Team) have top placement in all of our marketing materials because of our existing relationships and selling success. Whichever Realtor you decide to list with should have great exposure for your home.

Following these simple marketing tips will help sell your home quickly and for the most money. In retrospect, make sure your Realtor is stepping up to the plate! They should keep you in the loop as your home sale develops. If you want to work with the best in the business, give the Pehr Black Super Team a call. We are known for being the hardest workers in real estate and our effort shows in our amazing sell through rates!

Pehr Black out!

Super Hot Selling Tips: Pets

March 11, 2016 By Pehr Black

I’ve got to start off by saying I am a dog lover. Like any dog parent they are the apples of my eye and my life wouldn’t be complete without them. However, when selling your home, not everyone loves animals! Today’s super hot selling tip is short and sweet: stash the pets! Your buyers won’t want to get jumped on and loved when they come to see your house! Pets have a way of gluing on to non pet lovers and you need to make sure that doesn’t happen when you have buyers looking at your home! When your stashing the pets remember to:

Make sure and deodorize your home. Pets have a certain smell and the as owners don’t usually detect. If you have someone coming to look at your home, purchase some small pillar candles to mask the pet scent. It also lends a real classy vibe to your house.
Consider repainting your home. Pets are hard on baseboards and doors, and the odor they leave in the house can typically be covered by a new coat of paint. Consider repainting your home as part of the normal selling process. Killing two birds with one stone!
Clean the poo! We all get used to walking around our back yard mine fields, but I guarantee your buyers don’t want to wash off their shoes. Stop being lazy and clean up the yards! Your dogs, wife, and buyers will appreciate it!
Performing a pet disappearing magic trick. On the day your having someone come see the house, make sure your pets do a disappearing act. This can be crated with you at work (if your boss is cool about it) or even locked in the back yard. If you have buyers coming for a second showing or some serious interest, it is worth considering putting them in a kennel for the day.

One of my more important super hot selling tips, having your pets out of the house for buyers makes a huge difference when selling your home! Keep in mind while we love them, our new home owners won’t!

Pehr Black Out!

Super Hot Selling Tips: Selling

February 18, 2016 By Pehr Black

Hot Lava is always warm, like the Pehr Black Super Team!

Hey guys, its time for more Super Hot Selling Tips! This week’s tip is super important so pay attention! There is no more important step in selling your home then proper pricing. I have 3 things you need to do to ensure your house is priced correctly for a quick sale.

Ask your Realtor for a CMA (Comparative Marketing Analysis). This takes the houses close to yours and generates an estimated value for your home. My office offers them for free, and it is a great starting point towards finding your homes true value.
Hire a Top Realtor. I don’t mean to insult anyone, but this is the key step in home valuation. When you choose and commit to a Realtor, your trusting in their strategy to sell your home. That includes marketing, and home value. Working with a top Realtor is going to push you over the edge for selling your home and achieving success!
3. Don’t be afraid to lose a low offer. Your Realtor will tell you: Buyers are always trying to get a “good deal.” The fact is pricing your home correctly, results in a “deal” price. Buyers will try and lowball you with offers that are to low to consider. HOLD STRONG! Your Realtor will make sure you get the best price.

Don’t get left out in the Cold!

Following my 3 simple steps will keep you out of trouble! If you are concerned about where your house is priced currently, and why it is not selling, GIVE ME A CALL. My team and I are highly trained to ensure your house sells quickly and for the most money. Don’t be left in the “overpriced house” Tundra, come hang out with us where its warm! We have cookies and sell houses every week! Come back next week for more Super Hot Selling tips!

Pehr Black out!

Super Hot Selling Tip: 2

February 13, 2016 By Pehr Black

I’m not sure your ready for it, but here’s another Pehr Black Super Hot Selling Tip! This week’s tip: Clean up your home before selling! Think of your house as a used car. You’ve had it for a while and it is no longer new to you. It gets a little messy, you start leaving your junk in it, you don’t always take out the McDonald’s bags so it smells like used burgers, etc. To you its YOUR car and you LIKE it that way!

Now think of your new buyers. They are looking for their DREAM home, not a dirty, junky one! As they look through the neighborhood, at all the cute little houses and picket fences (this is America after all) they see your house! Its so nice at the top of the hill, looking all pristine and…WAIT a minute. What is that brown color all over the lawn? And how does the mailman put mail into that mailbox hanging off it’s post? And…you get it.

Make your house their dream home. You will get more money, and they will get their dream. Its a win-win guys! Straighten up the lawn, repaint that fence, fix the mailbox (the mailman will love you), and all those tiny little things you know about. It will “buff out the dents” and make your buyers happier. Trust me, I know a thing or two about selling houses.

Pehr Black out!

Frozen? Pehr Black is getting hotter!

February 1, 2016 By Pehr Black

Most real estate “people” tend to slow down around Christmas and New Years. Maybe its the super cold weather outside? Maybe its recovering after a rough holiday? To cold to venture outside?

This guy is freezing but Pehr Black is getting Hotter.

Its freezing out there

Either way, its an unavoidable fact. Unless of course your the hardest working man in real estate! Here in the Pehr Black office, things are always super hot! We have a ton of sellers entering the market excited to find new homes. This is going to make our already on fire market even spicier. Going into the warmer months, its only going to heat up even more. Were talking volcanic, major heating up! If you have recently considered selling your house NOW IS THE TIME. While most agents are coming out of the deep freeze, we are back at it every day. Because of the recent boom we have seen, Pehr has added Sunday into his schedule. We are cranking all 7 days a week! If you are hesitant about calling, let us give you just a few tid-bits to push you over the edge:

-Last year, Coeur d’Alene had just under 4k houses sold, the most in over a decade!

-Virtually across the board sellers received the most money for their houses in over 5 years!

-The Pehr Black Super Team sold more houses then any of our previous years!

A volcano is more like it! Pehr Black is heating up like lava!

When we say hot, we aren’t kidding!

Pretty amazing right? NOW is the time to sell your home, and we are the team to move it. Don’t waste any more time, give us a call for free advice on selling or buying a home, and a complimentary home analysis. It can’t hurt to find out! And we will be here for you every step of the way.

Maybe you will even catch the heat wave too.

Pehr Black Out!

CDA Real Estate Update May 2016

Home Prices have never in our history been higher!

Homes are listed (on the MLS) for 20% less time then the last 5 years!

More people are moving to Coeur d’Alene then Boise!

Coeur d’Alene, Hayden, Post Falls, and Spokane are all adding jobs at twice the normal rate for Idaho state!