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Greetings!
It's that time of year to begin moving your entertaining outdoors. What better way to do that than to add on an "outdoor room" to your home? Not only will it allow you to get the maximum enjoyment out of space you already have, but it will also add tremendous resale value to your property. Read on to find out more...
I'll be taking a hiatus from my Home Buyers' Workshops until September. In the meantime, you can check my landing page dedicated to this free workshop to find out details about autumn sessions. Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be considering buying. Further details are below.
Feel free to forward any of these e-newsletters to friends, colleagues, or family members.
As always, be sure to check out my other informational resources on my blog, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and website.
Best,
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 Home Trends: Embracing the "Outdoor Room"
Playing up your home's exterior spaces is a cost-effective way to get more enjoyment out of what you already have. Improvements that enhance your home's overall appeal can also increase its resale potential. Surveys show outdoor living rooms and cooking areas rank high on the list of features that today's homebuyers find most desirable.*
The creation of special outdoor living spaces is one of the most popular home trends, according to 94% of the residential landscape architects polled early in 2010.**
Outdoor rooms extend interior amenities, sensibilities, and comfort beyond the walls and increase the amount of space available for the cherished activities that are part of daily living and entertaining. Even a small enclosed patio or terrace can be transformed into a relaxing place to enjoy the fresh air.
Emphasize Utility and Livability
- Decks, patios, terraces, and covered structures such as pergolas provide the perfect place to begin. Updating or adding one is likely to increase the value of your property. When selling, it may also help you compete against new homes given that finished decks or patios are often not included in the initial sale.
 A functional outdoor kitchen can be as simple as a built-in grill, some counter space, and a dining table. A more elaborate set-up may include storage cabinets, a sink, a small refrigerator, an ice maker - anything that makes entertaining more fun and convenient. - Seating groups around a cozy firepit or even a more elaborate fireplace encourages conversation. Televisions, projection screens, and speakers may also be incorporated.
- Homeowners can now find high-quality outdoor furniture collections at any price point that are stylish, durable, and nearly as comfortable as their indoor sofa or recliner.
- Front porches make for great curb appeal and are currently very much in demand. When they are well-lit, decorated tastefully, and at least large enough for a couple of chairs or a swing, they provide additional living space and a sense of friendly connection to the community.
Sources:
* Avid Ratings, What Homebuyers Want in 2010
** American Society of Landscape Architects, 2010
©2011 Buffini & Company. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
LGK JUNE EREPORTS |
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Free Home Buyer Workshops
I won't be holding any home buyer workshops over the summer, but will be resuming them in the fall. At that time I will be holding ONLY Saturday workshops.
Upcoming workshops already scheduled will be held on the following dates:
- Saturday morning, SEPTEMBER 10
- Saturday morning, OCTOBER 1
- Saturday morning, NOVEMBER 5
REGISTER
Location: RE/MAX Realty Advisors office, 320 Washington St., Norwell (2nd floor)
Time:
10:15 - 10:30am - Registration
10:30 - 11:15am - Workshop
11:15 - 11:30am - Q & A
Light refreshments will be served.
Learn valuable information about purchasing a home in our current market.
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Tapping Into Our Local Talent
Each e-newsletter I've been featuring a segment of my new video series called "Tapping Into Our Local Talent" in which I interview local experts. (I recently filmed the second round of interviews, which has already started to appear on my YouTube channel and blog.)
Here is the next video in the series. This one spotlights social media and online marketing specialist Erin Doherty of Virtualize It. Erin empowers business owners to grow their online presence and effectively network to promote their companies. She believes in an integrated approach to internet marketing, streamlining blog content with e-newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. She offers entrepreneurs an affordable and flexible outsourcing option for their marketing needs.
Click on the video below to watch her interview.
 | Tapping Into Our Local Talent:
Erin Doherty |
My goal through this video project was to let the public know about available options and to help business experts I trust to grow their businesses.
If you know of someone who could benefit from the knowledge or services of one of the local experts interviewed, please forward the video links to them. The videos are also posted on my blog, Facebook page, and YouTube Channel. Tune in regularly to see our latest episode.
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 Connie White has worked as a full-time Realtor for over 20 years. During her career, she's earned the following certifications: ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) and CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert - meaning she's a certified expert in helping homeowners facing short sales).
Connie has been affiliated with RE/MAX (an international organization) since 1990. Her motto is: "Delivering Excellence" - Your South Shore Realtor for Single-Family, Condos, Multi-Family, Oceanfront, Luxury, and Distressed Properties.
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320 Washington Drive
Norwell, Massachusetts 02061
RE/MAX Realty Advisors
(617) 697-5566 |
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| Featured Property |
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11 Vernon Ave., Hull, MA |
Last month we featured a Hull property with a listing price of $336,300. Since then, it's dropped again in price - TWICE! This is a phenomenal opportunity for an investor to scoop up a bargain property and flip it!
11 Vernon Ave.
Click here to view photos and listing details.
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| Useful Resources | |
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Visit my website |
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Home Buyer Workshop |
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| In the News... | |
Celebrating 20 Years with RE/MAX!
2011 marks 20 years that I've been with RE/MAX. I've been reflecting back on the reasons I originally joined this organization back in 1991, and wanted to share them with you:
- I wanted to be affiliated with other professionals and Realtors of like mind who see their real estate activities as a legitimate business that they wanted to grow exponentially. (Many Realtors don't view what they do as a business.)
- RE/MAX attracts top Realtors, in large part because it's agent-driven - which means we can grow our businesses in any way we want to. Within the parameters of being honest and ethical, we are allowed - and encouraged - to be creative in how we reach out to potential buyers and sellers.
- We invest our own financial resources into business development within RE/MAX and most often work from home, but their offices are there for total support or for meeting space if needed.
- The organization provides all kinds of free technology, tools, and education for us to use, such as webinar training and a design center.
- By going to organization events, I can develop relationships locally, statewide, and internationally. I can pick up the phone and call any RE/MAX Realtor anywhere, and they'd help me out in a heartbeat.
I've found everything I had hoped and expected to be the case within the organization when I first joined, to be true - or else I wouldn't have stayed with them this long!
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| The "Thank You" Economy | |
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The Thank You Economy |
Gary Vaynerchuk, author and social media visionary, recently spoke at the RE/MAX convention in Las Vegas. His insights on social media and online marketing are worthy of our attention.
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