Owners - What You Do Now Puts Money In Your Pocket Later
April 3, 2006
There are two service contracts that I strongly recommend to homeowners: 1) Have your home inspected annually for termites and 2) have your furnace, central air conditioning unit and water heater inspected yearly as well.First, it can help you catch a problem before it becomes a big one and second, if there is something wrong, the service contract can save you money in the long run. Regular maintenance and cleaning for your major appliances will extend their lives.
There is a third and very compelling reason to pay attention to annual maintenance concerns. Buyers are more likely to make a better offer on your home if they feel it has been consistently well-maintained. This means you have to start these good habits long before you?ve thought of putting your home on the market.
One of the things that buyers consider in making an offer is how soon they?ll have to replace the major components - major appliances, roof, windows, etc. Buyers expect that sellers will put their best foot forward when selling their house, hopefully doing an extra-deep cleaning before the lockbox goes on the door. But a really dirty furnace filter and clogged filters under refrigerators tell the real story about the type of maintenance routine followed by a homeowner.
And buyers pay a lot of attention to these things, in the type of offer they make, in the types of repairs they may ask for and even whether or not they?ll actually make an offer to begin with.
(c) 2006 Susan Pruden
A lifetime Maryland resident, Susan Pruden has the ideal foundation for selling and buying homes. After 8 years working in just about every facet of the mortgage industry, and several years with her own company specializing in marketing for real estate agents, Susan got her real estate license in 1994. Susan has earned several industry awards. The CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Award is based on reviews from Susan's clients and is earned by a very small percentage of agents. She has earned that coveted recognition since 2012
Two others were awarded by the Prince George's Association of REALTORS®. The Distinguished Sales Associate of the Year Award is based on a mixture of community involvement, association involvement and real estate education and designations. The other, the Distinguished Service Award, is for "exceptional meritorious service."
Susan is involved in her local community. She was named Cheverly Volunteer of the Year in 2018, even having June 25th designated "Susan Pruden Day" in the Town of Cheverly. She is also a Commissioner on the Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission and President of the Cheverly American Legion Auxiliary.
Susan Pruden has lived in Cheverly lived with her husband, Joseph, for almost 30 years.
