2015 Annual Awards Ceremony
Our annual awards ceremony is a time of celebration. On the morning of Wednesday, January 27th, 2016, the Semonin family gathered together and took the time to recognize and congratulate our agents on their many successes in 2015. As we looked back at the last year, everyone left the ceremony excited and motivated to do our very best throughout 2016. Here is a look at our top agents of 2015. Congratulations to all!
Visit our Facebook page for the full photo album!
What is a Home Warranty?
UNDERSTANDING HOME WARRANTY vs. HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE
Homeowners Insurance protects your home and personal items from things like theft and fire. But what if one of your home’s major components or systems needs major replacement? When it comes to things like plumbing, electrical, heating or airconditioning, water heaters and appliances, a home warranty can come in handy. A home warranty covers these types of items and will help to offset costly repairs if they fail or need repair.
A home warranty will provide repair or replacement service for the length of the warranty agreement, which typically lasts for the first year you own the home. To attract more buyers, the seller will often provide a home warranty and pay its cost at closing, but the buyer can also choose to purchase a plan if the seller does not offer it.
An important factor to consider before buying a home warranty is the age of the home. If the home is 10 years old or older, chances are some issues could arise that justify the cost of the program.
Semonin Realtors® partners with 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty to provide comfort and peace of mind to our buyers and sellers. 2-10 HBW is a premier and reputable home warranty provider that has protected more than 5.5 million new and pre-owned homes. To learn more visit www.semonin.com/homewarrantyservices
The Influence of Friends & Family on Home Purchases
For many of us, the holidays are the time of year dedicated to spending with family and friends. For some, this is the only time of year that allows for such precious family time. Being able to see our families every day can be a gift, and for many home buyers having the option to do so can impact the home they purchase.
This holiday season, lets take a look at how the family and friends of recent home buyers influenced 1) the type of home they bought, 2) the primary reason they bought, and 3) where they bought.
According to the 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers recently released from the National Association of Realtors, this year 13% of all buyers purchased a multi-generational home—a home that had adult siblings, adult children over the age of 18, parents, and/or grandparents in the household.
WHY did buyers purchase a multi-generational home?
- 22% of buyers did for the health and care taking of their aging parents
- 14% reported they purchased a multi-generational home for cost saving reasons
- 12% of buyers did it so that children or relatives over 18 could move back into the house
- 8% chose a multi-generational home so they could spend more time with aging parents
- 8% did because of children or relatives over 18 that never left home
The PRIMARY REASON for buying a home
From relocating for a job to downsizing after retirement, there are many reasons why people decide to buy a home, the number one reason being that buyers (30%) simply desire to own a home of their own. For 7% of home buyers, staying close to family, friends, and relatives was the primary reason for their purchase. For single females, this number was even higher at 9%. On the selling side, the primary reason 16% of people decided to put their home on the market in 2015 was so they could move closer to family and friends.
Deciding WHERE to buy a home
Even if the primary reason for buying a home was unrelated to family and friends, 35% of home buyers claimed that their neighborhood choice was influenced by how convenient it was to friends and family. In fact, for single females this was the second most influential factor when it came to choosing which neighborhood to live in.
Whether this holiday season makes you may wish you lived next door to your family or across the country from them, you’ll likely understand how family and friends impact the decisions of so many home buyers.
SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, 2015 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Home Buying: Making the Most of an Open House
Open houses have been a long running tradition in real estate. It gives the chance for buyers to view a home in a relaxed atmosphere. Having a Realtor present also gives buyers the opportunity to get a feel for the market, ask questions about the home and the buying process. From those who are just beginning to think about buying a home, to the people who are have already spent weeks house hunting and eager to make an offer, buyers with all kinds of motivations make their way to open houses. No matter what buying decision stage you are in, here are some tips for making the most of an open house visit.
1. Take the time to plan. Typically, open houses are available to view between 2pm and 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Instead of wasting precious weekend hours driving around looking for balloons tied to open house signs, research properties online and make a list of properties you want to see and sort them in order of location. Begin with the visiting open houses in the area you are most interested in before you hit up your next favorite area and so on. When making your game plan, keep in mind that you should allowing enough time to see each home.
2. Take a thorough tour. Sometimes wandering around someone else’s home can feel a bit uncomfortable. The key is to be polite as you make sure you see the entire home. In other words, don’t be afraid to open doors to explore every room and closet, but don’t be opening dresser drawers and sifting through the seller’s undergarments (after all, those more than likely won’t be included in the purchase of the home).
3. Come prepared. Bring a notepad, camera, and tape measure to each open house so you can assess the home thoroughly and jot down your pros and cons of each property. After a day of visiting different properties it is so easy to get back home and realize it is all just a blur. Whether you’ve visited one open house or six, having your notes, photos, and videos to jog your memory can be incredibly helpful. Keep in mind that, in many cases, the home is still someone’s private residence, so be courteous and always ask permission before taking photos and videos of the property.
4. Ask questions. The real estate agent hosting the open house is there as a resource to you! Many people are apprehensive to ask questions or even make eye contact with the agent in fear of being sucked into a pressuring sales pitch, but don’t let your fear keep you from making the most of your open house visit. If you have a question about the house, the neighborhood, or the market, ask it! The agent is in the market and more than likely knows the answer, and knowledge is power in the buying world. Many buyers in the early stages of the buying process have met their agents at an open house and gone on to build long-term buyer/agent relationships.
5. Look beyond the property itself. Flipping through photos of a home is a great online resource for home buyers, however, they rarely paint of picture of what surrounds the home. Attending an open house gives buyers a chance to see what lies beyond the property including nearby parks, schools, restaurants and shopping. Take time to notice neighboring properties as well to get a feel of what and who you might be living by.
CLICK HERE to browse upcoming open houses in Kentuckiana
Super Semonin Weekend
November 21-22, 2015
The Largest Open House Event in Our Region!
Semonin Realtors ® selects one weekend a month that we call a Super Semonin Weekend. It is a weekend we focus upon as a company to hold as many open houses as possible. We encourage visitors to register for a drawing to win your choice of an APPLE iPad or a $500 Gift Card to Lowe’s, Kroger or Target! LEARN MORE »
Preparing to Downsize Your Home
Whether you’re a recent empty nester or your home has become too much to manage, nearly everyone reaches a point in their life where its time to downsize. If you are planning on moving to a smaller home keep in mind these helpful insights.
Take your time.
It simply isn’t logical to think you can successfully downsize from a home you’ve spent years living in in only a week or two. Downsizing is more than just a weekend of organizing, it is a process that deserves a few months of preparation. Sorting through decades of keepsakes and housewares takes diligence and time, so giving yourself plenty of time is crucial.
Make a trash and recycling plan.
Depending on the scale of your downsize you may need to schedule a junk pickup or have a dumpster delivered. Whatever your plan may be, keep in mind you are less likely to recycle or donate things if you have easy access to a colossal trash receptacle in your driveway.
Cut back on unsentimental items.
Old shampoo samples and extra pots and pans are much easier to toss out than that old rocking horse you bought for your son’s second Christmas, so, save rooms like bathrooms and kitchens for a day when you don’t have the heart to throw out the more sentimental items. You should be able to move these rooms more quickly than others and it will feel good when you can cross them off your list. If you come across something in the kitchen that means something to you and your family tradition, such as that special plate you pulled out every for year for Santa’s cookies, consider passing it along to your children or grandchildren instead of keeping it in the back of your cupboard.
Pass on the memories.
All those school projects, dance recital outfits, sports trophies, and artwork you’ve collected from your children over the years may have seemed very important once, but now they are most likely just collecting dust in the closet. Instead of going through these keepsakes alone and deciding what to keep and throw out, invite your children and other family to come over and sift through the family relics together. Reminiscing on old memories can make for a very entertaining afternoon full of laughter. Tell everyone in advance they are welcome to keep anything they’d like and everything else you will throw out or recycle. Memories are precious and valuable, so you should be encouraged to buy yourself a large plastic bin to keep those treasures most important to you. This way your children are reassured that you don’t want to throw away their memories, you just want to find a new home that works better for your current lifestyle.
Are you really going to wear that again?
Some clothing hoarders justify their behavior with the thought “everything old will eventually come back into style,” but when your downsizing it is good to be a bit more discerning. With very few exceptions, like a formal dress or other special occasion outfit, you should get rid of any items you haven’t worn in the last 1-2 years. If you are recently retired there is no need for several suits and work outfits. As for all those t-shirts and sweatshirts you’ve collected over the years, how many do you really need? Choose a select variety of apparel to keep and donate the rest. Chances are a year later you most likely won’t even remember having owned some of it.
Think paperless.
It is astonishing how much paperwork can accumulate over time. You have probably dreaded going through that file cabinet full of pay stubs, tax reports, receipts, and other records for years. Take a day (or a couple) to tackle all that paperwork and try to trash the majority of it. The IRS says tax filings must only be kept for seven years, so anything before that is safe to throw out. But remember to protect yourself from identity theft by running documents through a shredder.
Semonin Realtors® Builds Our 18th Habitat for Humanity Home
Last week Semonin Realtors® worked to build our 18th Habitat for Humanity home. For the second year in a row, Semonin partnered with NTS in providing funding and volunteers for the construction of the home which was located on Craig Ave near Taylor Boulevard and the Watterson Expressway.
Through various fundraising activities held throughout the year, Semonin Realtors’ staff and agents were able to contribute a total of $35,000 toward construction costs. In addition to these funds, 100 agent and staff volunteers worked on-site October 7th through 9th during the “raise the roof” portion of the build. NTS also made a generous monetary contribution and gathered volunteers to work on the build October 8th.
Bahati and her children hammer their first nails into their new home.
Bahati, who heard about Habitat through friends, is the owner of the new home and her and her children worked alongside us during the build last week. Bahati and her five children are so excited to move into their new home once Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville and its volunteers complete construction in approximately 12 weeks.
Since 1993, Semonin agents and staff have contributed a total of $562,000 toward 18 Habitat for Humanity homes built in Louisville, New Albany, Elizabethtown, and LaGrange. During this time period, more than 3,500 Semonin agent and staff volunteers have worked together to complete new Habitat homes.
“Semonin agents and staff take great pride in the communities where we live and work, and this is an important way for us to give back every year,” said Brad DeVries, president and CEO, Semonin Realtors. “This new Habitat home is no exception. We think homeownership can be for everyone – and it is our distinct pleasure to work alongside NTS and contribute to such a great cause.”
Semonin Realtors and Habitat for Humanity also thanks 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, Beef O’Brady’s on Blankenbaker Parkway, Texas Roadhouse in Shively, and Semonin Insurance for their support and contributions toward this year’s build. Below are a few pictures from this year’s build. Click here to see the entire photo album on our Facebook Page.
Home Maintenance Tips For Fall
Check The Chimney
Cooler weather is rolling in and it will soon be time to put the life back into those fireplaces that have been hibernating since last winter. Autumn is the time of year to prep your fireplace, insuring it will work properly and safely. Buildup of creosote and other residue can lead to chimney fires and cause carbon monoxide to enter rather than exit your home. Schedule an appointment with a chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace. To avoid a long wait during the busy season, call and request a visit early in the fall season.
Unclutter The Gutters
Leaves and debris that gather in and clog your gutters inhibits water to properly drain away from your home. This can cause mold, leaks, and pest problems. To avoid damage to your home’s roof and siding regularly check and clean your gutters. Installing gutter guards can help make this job a lot easier, however even with guards, routine checks should still be made.
Tend to the Lawn of Leaves
It can seem almost over night that those vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves have made their way from the tops of the autumn trees down to the surface of your yard like a think blanket. Leaving the leaves to pile on your lawn can prevent the grass from getting the sunlight and nutrients it needs to the point where they suffocate the grass. This can lead to many insect and disease issues. Raking and bagging the fallen leaves is not the only solution. You could put the raked leaves into a compost bin which can later be used as a fertile mulch in your garden or landscape. An easier solution is simply using your lawn mower to dice the leaves into bits too small to rake. This not only allows the grass to still be exposed to sunlight, but also enable the small bits of leaves to make their way down to the soil where they can break down over winter and add their nutrients to your lawn.
Ensure Insulation
With winter right around the corner, now is a good time to ensure you can keep warm. Inspect the insulation in your attic to make sure it is correctly installed—call a professional to take a look if needed. Your windows and doors can also become quite drafty in the cold winters, so make sure they are well sealed. Where needed, reapply caulk around the edges of windows and door frames and add weather-stripping around doors so that daylight is not visible from inside your home. Lastly, as the A/C days come to an end for the year, include changing the furnace filter as a part of your fall home maintenance checklist.
Getting Your Home Organized
Are you having trouble conquering your clutter once and for all? There are many, many tips and tricks for getting your home organized, but here are four valuable points that you should keep top of mind.
1. Start with the problems that affect your everyday routine.
An area or room in your home that you use to store a lot of your rarely used items may be a nightmare to look at, but if it does not affect the way your live your daily life consider tackling other areas first. Foyers or other entry ways can be a good starting point since this is where a lot of traffic happens.
Keep in mind that the system you come up with to organize the areas that you use the most need to be the simplest and easiest to keep up with. If a system turns out to be more of a hassle than a help, chances are you won’t stick with it for very long and you’ll find yourself back to square one.
2. Develop a plan before diving in.
Especially when you are tackling an entire room take a step back and look at what you are actually dealing with. This will help you develop a clear vision for how you want it organized before you actually start tossing and sorting. Take a thorough inventory of what is currently in the room and determine what problems you are trying to solve. Then you will be able to better categorize everything in a way that makes the most sense.
It also helps to clear everything out of a room, closet, or drawer before you do a big organizing overhaul. Starting with a blank slate forces you to be more selective when it comes to what goes back into the space and where.
3. Get creative.
Bins and baskets can fill up floor and shelf space pretty quickly and there is only so much you can organize into drawers before the drawer itself becomes unorganized. Think out of the box when it comes to where to put things. For example, the backs of closet and cabinet doors are a great places to hang hooks and racks that gain instant and discrete storage space.
Re-purposing is another way to exercise your creativity as well as save you some money. Why should you spend $15 on a pretty box, when you can create your own with a shoe box and paint or fabric?
4. Remember that organizing is a constant process.
After a day or weekend of rearranging shelves, labeling bins, and sorting through drawers you can find your home to be in pretty good order. However, getting organized is one thing, staying that way is another. Having a designated tray by the door to drop your mail is only a good thing if it is regularly sorted through and kept from piling up and spilling over. Stay disciplined and take time everyday making sure your organizing systems are still working for your home.
Tips for First-Time Home Buyers
Your first home is probably the biggest purchase you will make in your life so far—it can be an exhilarating time but you probably also have lots of questions. Here are some tips for first-time home buyers:
1. Get Pre-Approved
Before your start looking at houses it is important that you first know how much you can really afford. You can start the financial process by looking at your credit score. Having a good credit score is one of the most important factors to qualify for a loan. Next you should talk to a lender to get pre-qualified for a loan. Knowing exactly how much a lender is willing to give you to purchase a home will allow you to shop with confidence. There is no greater disappointment than thinking you have found the perfect home just to find out you can’t afford it. As an added tip, shop around when you are looking for a lender. Getting a second opinion can never hurt and one lender may be able to offer you a better amount or interest rate than another.
2. Prioritize Your Wants & Needs
Shopping for homes is exciting and fun! However, if you don’t have a clue what you might be looking for, you could end up making the home buying process a longer than it needs to be. Spending months looking through a hundred homes can turn the process into a frustrating and tiresome one for you and your Realtor. Make a list of features you’d like to have in a home and categorize them as “must-haves” vs. “nice-to haves”—but remember to keep this list realistic with your budget.
3. Look Online
With you wants and needs list completed, get online to start looking at homes. The Internet is where 90% of home buyers start their search. It is a great resource to get a feel for what is on the market and compare homes that are in your price range. This can help you quickly weed out the homes you don’t want to see and select the few you want to see in person.
4. Select a REALTOR®
Purchasing a home is an exciting time in anyone’s life, but the process can get to be overwhelming especially for first-time buyers. Selecting a REALTOR® who will represent and support you throughout the entire process is of the upmost importance. Your REALTOR® will advise you, keep you on the right track, help you negotiate, and handle all the paperwork during your transaction. Finding a REALTOR you can trust will put your mind at ease during the process, so if you need to, sit down with a few agents and decide for yourself which one is the best fit for you.
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