Style, Safety and Resale Among Benefits of a Fenced-in Yard

A fence can add to your home's overall curb appeal, as long as it is stylish and in good condition. In fact, I cannot recall even one instance with any buyer client of mine who disliked a fence so much that they were not willing to move forward with purchasing a home.

Homeowners might consider adding a fence for many reasons. However, “It’s up to the individual and what they’re trying to accomplish,” says Jamie Turrentine, owner of Southwest Fence and Deck in Carrollton, Texas. Here are ways you could benefit from a fenced-in yard.

Pets
Sixty percent of Americans have complaints about their neighbors. Topping that list: their pets.1 A fence gives Fido the freedom to run leash-free, and you won’t have to worry about him roaming into neighbors’ yards or into the street.

Pools
Building a fence around your pool helps safeguard against injuries and accidental drowning. Learn more about pool fences and other important pool barriers.

Security
A fence can be both a boundary and a barrier. It can prevent your child from chasing a stray ball into the street or conceal items such as patio furniture and barbecues from thieves.

Privacy
Install a fence to turn your yard into an extension of your living space. A tall privacy fence allows you to enjoy family gatherings or time to yourself away from the eyes of passersby.

Curb Appeal
A fence can add character and charm to your home’s exterior—as long as it’s not an eyesore. Keep up with maintenance, such as staining, and choose a fence that fits your home’s style.

Resale Value
Investing in a fence could pay off if you ever decide to sell. Many house-hunters enjoy the aesthetics of a fenced-in yard and appreciate the privacy and security it can offer.

Before You Build

    If you’re having a fence installed, verify that the contractor has the appropriate insurance.
    Contact City Hall or your zoning office for local building codes.
    Secure necessary building permits.
    Don’t impede on a neighbor’s property. “Have a survey done so you know your property lines,” Turrentine says.
    Call  your local notification service to locate underground utility lines.
    Discuss your plans with neighbors. “Make sure they know what’s going on and what you’re doing,” Turrentine says. “That’s part of being a good neighbor.”

Article submitted by Brennan Purdy of State Farm Insurance

My vision is to be an insurance professional whose actions are driven by keeping the customer's best interest as my primary goal. My staff will treat all my customers in a caring, friendly, and professional manner. My office will provide warm, efficient, and seamless services to our customers at all times. I expect my business to be comprised of knowledgeable, multiple-line customers who see my office as their first and best choice for all their insurance and financial service needs

For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit www.brennanpurdy.com. My office is conveniently located in downtown Bethel. 203-798-7300.                   211 Greenwood Avenue , Bethel, CT 06801

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1,290,000. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

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Does a Nearby Cemetery Impact Your CT Home's Resale Value?

What a morbid subject- no one even likes to say "the word".  Unfortunately, there are times when you must have this discussion.  For some people, close proximity to a cemetery simply doesn't matter, and yet, for others it is an absolute  deal breaker. Some buyers don't even want to pass by a cemetery to get to their home.

The fact of the matter is, that yes, it does impact your resale value.  There is a good side to that and a not-so-good aspect as well. It's up to you as to whether  the positives outweigh the negatives, or vice- versa.

As close proximity will affect resale value, even if it's not for all buyers, the bottom line is that it still affects property value for some.

If you are in the market to purchase a home, then you can expect to get a better deal on that home because of its location. It would be worth more in another area. That just goes back to the old saying about the most important thing in real estate being  "Location, location, location".

If you are selling your home near a cemetery, understand that there are buyers that just won't look at your house, no matter what. Expect to have a longer than average market time, but consider this- You bought the home- and  your buyer will probably purchase your home for many of the same reasons that you did.

A good marketing plan designed specifically for your home will get the job done, and I know just the right Realtor for you- (that's me!)

And a note From Judy: If you have a question about buying or selling a home in Fairfield County, and are in need of an Realtor to represent you, I invite you to contact me, and if you have an idea for a topic that you would like to see on The CT Realty Blog, please include it in the "Post a Comment" section link below this post. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to providing you with the best real estate content, advice and service in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

How Often Should You Update Your Connecticut Homeowners Insurance Policy?

What?  You never knew that you should update your policy? You're not alone... most people don't know, but at least now YOU do. Let your friends know, too.

Whether you have owned your home for quite some time, you have recently purchased your home and  made some improvements, or are planning to purchase a home and do some immediate or short term renovations, it is important to remember to review your policy coverages every year, or after any renovation.

With a decline in home equity that the real estate market has brought upon us, some homeowners have no choice but to remodel rather than move.

"Buildfax"  is a company that maintains a national building database, which also includes permits, and their latest report said that remodeling activity reached a record high in July as consumers put more discretionary income into improving or renovating their homes.T

Residential remodeling activity registered the 21st straight month of year-over-year gains according to The BuildFax Remodeling Index (BFRI) for July. The report goes on to say that consumers are continuing to remodel rather than purchase new homes and do so amid concerns of a recession..  

The July index was up 24 percent from one year ago and, at 130.4 is the highest number since the index began in 2004.

 The index was up in all regions, including the Northeast, although our area fared much better percentage-wise.

At the same time that building materials sales were up, there are indications that homeowners have not increased their insurance to reflect the changes in value.

Buyers: Remember to contact your insurance company if you are planning to do renovations. Please don't wait for an "event" to happen to find out that you are under-insured for the replacement value of your home. Contact your insurance carrier today.

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Source: MorgageNewsDaily.com

How do you figure out the best location to live in?

We've all heard the term, "location location location". Choosing your home's location is just as important as choosing the home itself. Here are four of the top  tips to help you decide on the best location.

The City, Town, or community-  Before you pick out a house,  the first thing to do is choose what cities or communities you would like to live in. There are many different factors that come into play, not only for yourself, but for resale value as well. Carefully choosing your community is the first step in "location, location, location" and can help maximize your future potential resale value.

Property Taxes always seem to be a consideration and in most cities, you'll notice that taxes are higher than in surrounding towns. The city, as a hub, usuallly provides more services than towns do, and have bigger government, and someone has to pay for it- that means the homeowners. If you like the services that a city has to offer, and the higher taxes aren't a deterrent. But remember, you will lose some of the buyer pool on resale if your taxes are considered too high.
The bonus  is that the "cost per square foot" of homes is most often lower in cities that have higher property taxes. This is something that you will need to weigh in your decision

The School System- Even if you do not have school-age children and do not intend to have children, you must pay attention to the local school system. That is because when you sell the property, many of your potential buyers will be concerned about it. have concerns of this nature. Check to see how local students score on the standardized tests and as I mentioned in a prior post, the state of Connecticut mandates that ecah of its 169 towns and cities educational system report on each individual school.. The better the school system, the better the resale. It has always been that way.  

Economic Stability and Local Government- When choosing a town or community for your home buying purchase, look to buy in a city or town  with a  stable economy. When you want to sell your home in the future,  there should be a reasonable expectation that your town will still be a desirable place to live. A good idea is to drive around that community, and see how well it is maintained. .Services provided by the local government are in important factor, too, such as community centers and libraries. You can obtain crime statistics by going to the police station and simply asking for them. The local EMS should also have their response times on record for you as well

I would be happy to answer any questions that I can about your new community, and what I don't know, I can find out readily. All my clients  have to do is ask!

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