Buyers have an abundance of inventory to choose from these days. During my tours of many homes in the Salt Lake Valley, I have found that if a home smells like smoke, just subtract about 15% -25% from the value of the home compared to others in the area! Plus you can add about 50% to the numbers of days to sell your home than is typical in the area, if you can sell it at all!

So if your home (smoke free) was worth about $350,000, if you had smoked in it, just subtract $52,500-$87,500 from this price. That is what smoking will do to the value of your home. Is it worth it?

It is almost impossible to remove the smell of smoke, even with new paint and carpet, it permeates everything; heating and cooling systems, sub-flooring, insulation in the walls and ceilings, window trim, appliances, wood cabinets, hardwood floors.

If you are a smoker, go outside about 20 feet from your home. Otherwise, make sure you love your home, because you will be there a long time…

What are your thoughts?

image: to-stop-smoking.net

Finally got the Christmas Lights up!!!

Received our first measurable snowfall of the 2008 season! The only problem is that I had to break out the snow shovel.  Sometimes the upkeep in the winter is difficult.  A maintenance free community or condominium seems like a nice option when the snow comes. The only thing is that “Digger”, my 100lbs Black Lab mix would have something to say if his yard were eliminated!

Welcome to my new blog about real estate. The reason I am setting up this blog is because I want to share my years of experience (18) with people interested in real estate. This might include; first time homeowner’s, investors or just those curious about the market. It might also include other real state agents and brokers already in the business of selling real estate. Do you have questions about the loan process or title work? What improvements should you make before you sell your houses and how much will you get back on the money you spent when you sell? Should you start in the real estate business and what is entailed? What designations are important to have? Should I sell my house on my own or higher a real estate agent? These are just example of what I would like to include in my blog.

So here goes!! I hope this is as fun and fulfilling for you as it is for me…