Father’s Day celebrated it’s 100^th anniversary in 2010. Of course there is some debate on where the idea for Father’s Day originated in the US. Some believe that it was in July 1908 in a West Virginia church in a sermon in memory of 362 miners who had died in an explosion. This was meant to be a one time commemoration, not an annual holiday.

 The following year a woman name Sonora Smart Dodd, known as “The Mother of Father’s Day”, tried to establish an equivalent of Mother’s Day for Fathers. Her Mother had died when she was 16 and left her and 5 younger brothers for her Father to raise which inspired her to propose equal recognition for Fathers.  She lobbied throughout Washington State and was successful in having the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on July 19, 1910.

 In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson honored the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day, however many men were not in favor.  During the 1920’s & 30’s a movement rose to scrap both Mother’s Day & Father’s Day in favor of a single holiday – Parents’ Day.  The Depression and struggling retailers derailed that effort and strived to make Father’s Day a “second Christmas” for men.

 When World War II began, advertisers argued that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday but it was a national institution.

 In 1966 President Johnson signed a proclamation that the third Sunday in June be recognized as Father’s day and requested flags be flown at all government buildings and finally, in 1972, President Nixon signed a federal proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday.

 Scholars believe that the real origin of Father’s Day can be traced to the ruins of Babylon where a young boy named Elmesu carved a Father’s Day message on a card made out of clay nearly 4,000 years ago wishing his father good health and a long life.

 Today over 50 countries around the world, from Antigua to Zimbabwe join in the Father’s Day celebrations.

If spring lawn care is about getting your lawn healthy and green, summer is about KEEPING it healthy while temperatures soar and rainfall becomes a fleeting memory.  Here are some tips for keeping your lawn in shape over those long, hot days of summer.

After the spring growing season, summer brings quite a bit of stress to your lawn.  We want our lawns lush and green for outdoor activities, and we try to fight nature by continuing to fertilize, water, and coax new growth out of our lawns no matter what the weather. However, by understanding and respecting the seasonal changes of turf grasses, you can take steps to care gently for your lawn as the mercury rises.

Once temperatures get into the 80s and above, lawns will begin to struggle a little. Growth will slow, color may fade, and lawns will show signs of wear and tear as they are less able to recover from stress and traffic.

  Water Wisely

• Lawns need at least one inch of water per week, and more when the heat is severe.
• Water deeply and less frequently to encourage drought-tolerant roots.
• Water early in the day to reduce evaporation and fungal growth.
• Either water your lawn regularly and deeply, or don’t water at all. Don’t let your lawn go brown and dormant, then try to “water it back to life.” If your lawn goes dormant in summer, it should stay that way until fall – don’t worry, it should recover once the weather changes.

 Mowing Tips                     

• Raise your mower blade in the summer. Taller grass is more drought-tolerant, grows deeper roots, and helps shade the earth to prevent weed seeds from germinating.
• Mulching grass clippings helps keep moisture levels steady.
• Mow regularly, to prevent cutting more than 1/3 of the grass blade at a time. This keeps your grass healthier and prevents the clippings from smothering the grass.
• Keep mower blades sharp. Make sure your mower is cutting your grass, not tearing it, to minimize stress during hot temperatures.

Don’t Over Fertilize

If your lawn is looking straggly in midsummer, resist the urge to fertilize. In fact, it’s best to stop fertilizing about 30 days before summer temperatures arrive. Applying extra fertilizer in the heat of summer can burn your lawn and create a flush of tender growth that will struggle in the hot summer weather. Never fertilize dormant lawns – wait until they green up in the fall.

High-Traffic Areas

By summer, many lawns begin to show signs of wear, especially in a few popular pathways. Consider installing stepping stones to minimize damage to your grass, and try to minimize traffic on dormant, brittle lawns. If you’re getting plenty of rainfall and your lawn is actively growing, you can apply a bit of fertilizer to these areas to help the blades recover faster.

 Control Weeds

Summer is the season to get those growing weeds removed before they bloom and disperse seed for next year. Targeted postemergent herbicides are designed to kill broadleaf weeds without harming turf grass, but they must be applied when temperatures will be below 85° F for a few days. Keep in mind that during the heat of summer, ANY product can be damaging to already-stressed lawn grasses, so use sparingly or hand-pull weeds instead.

Insects and Diseases

• Dormant or drought-stressed summer lawns can be more susceptible to insect infestations, such as chinch bugs, cutworms, armyworms, sod webworms, fire ants, fleas, and mosquitoes.
• Summer is also the time for fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew and brown patch. Apply fungicide if needed, and avoid watering in the evening to keep nighttime moisture at a minimum.
• Grubs will begin hatching in your lawn over the summer. If grubs typically cause problems in your lawn, you can begin applying grub control around midsummer.

 Can Greener Grass translate into more “Green” in Your Pocket?
Call and Let’s Chat.

It’s that time of year again. Spring is a time for fresh ideas, new beginnings and home remodeling.   Don’t wait until summer to start thinking about making changes to your home.  Whether it is updating appliances in the kitchen or installing new tile in the bathroom, to something more time intensive like taking down a wall or adding on a new room, remodeling is on the rise.

 Some things to keep in mind:

Know why you’re remodeling. Are you selling? Addressing changing family and lifestyle needs?  Wanting more efficient appliances and lighting? Your reasons for remodeling can impact your decisions—for example, if you’re selling, your choices may be more about buyer appeal than personal taste. On the other hand, if you’re building your dream kitchen, you may not want to compromise on certain features. Evaluate your project in light of your property value and return on investment and look for options that meet your overall needs.

Make a wish list/scrapbook. Use the Internet to peruse pictures and articles.  Get brochures, color samples, and fabric swatches, and cut out or print pictures that show features or details of work that you like. Take pictures of other homes, and keep a scrapbook of ideas.  

Know your budget. A realistic budget can help you prioritize options. In your bathroom upgrade, will you really use that expensive spa tub, or are luxury shower heads, bath fixtures, and a towel warmer more important? If you want a contemporary, industrial look in your kitchen, can you compromise elsewhere so that you can afford concrete or stainless-steel countertops?

Remember that “form follows function.” Look at your existing space critically. Evaluate how you use it. Assess high-traffic areas, kitchen work triangles, and overall flow. Define what already works and what doesn’t. Get input from all family members, even children. The “look” of your new space should be secondary to layout and function. You can work on achieving that “magazine” look after you have the basics.

Research products. Research your options for features like countertops and flooring. Manufacturers’ Websites are a great place to start, and most companies have an 800 number for product questions. Evaluate the pros and cons for each product type to determine which options suit your budget, lifestyle, and taste the best. For example, cork flooring is quite popular but soft, so it’s not suitable in high traffic areas. Consider something more durable, like tile. If you have children or elderly family members, marble or polished tile could be slippery and hard on the joints and may not be suitable—laminate wood flooring or vinyl may be safer.

Some up-front planning and research can make your remodeling project go a lot smoother and help ensure that you’re satisfied with the end results. Above all else – remember to have fun!

Call me today to find out what home improvements today’s buyers are looking for.

Did you know it is traditional to fly the United States flag at half mast from dawn until noon and then raise it briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes on Memorial Day?

Until 1971, this holiday honoring men and women who died while serving in the US military was known as Decoration Day, which originated three years after the Civil War ended in 1868, by an organization of Union veterans.  The traditional date was May 30th.  Today, cities in the North and the South still claim to be the birthplace of Decoration Day.  However the North wins this argument with Waterloo, NY being declared the official “birthplace” in 1966 by Congress and President Johnson – a southerner!  In 1971, by an act of Congress, the holiday became known as Memorial Day and was moved to the last Monday of May.

To some, Memorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day – fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

“The National Moment of Remembrance Act” was passed in 2000.  This is to encourage all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

To quote Gen. Logan from 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime we should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. … Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

Memorial Day, however, has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year.

What a Winter!!!

As we recover from one of the harshest winters in recent history, it is important to inspect your home for damage and plan for home maintenance, repair and remodeling projects.  Winter weather can damage homes in ways that aren’t easily visible. You should protect your investment and if necessary, hire a professional to repair or replace damaged components now, before Spring storms create more problems (and the way the wet weather has been , these are important things to check out) .

Here are 10 tips to follow when checking your home for damage in order to make sure your home is ready for Spring from top to bottom:

1.  Inspect roof – Check your roof for loose, warped or missing shingles and make sure the chimney flashing and skylight seals are intact.

2.  Clean and repair gutters – Clear winter storm debris from gutters and downspouts, and check that they are still securely attached to the house.  Blocked or loose gutter can allow water into your home and damage trim.

3.  Look for leaks – Common culprits for hard-to-find leaks are attics, crawl spaces and washing machine hoses.  Inspect these areas, look under sinks for damage from frozen pipes and check your water heater for signs of corrosion.

4.  Clear exterior drains – Remove leaves from underground or exterior drains to clear the way for spring showers and prevent backups.

5.  Inspect siding or shingles – Inspect siding or shingles for pieces that have come loose during winter storms.

6.  Check window and door seals – Examine the exterior caulking on door and window seals to ensure it remains watertight.

7.  Patch cracks – Patch cracks in concrete driveways, sidewalks and steps to keep water out and prevent further expansion.

8.  Inspect HVAC – Hire a qualified technician to service your home’s HVAC system to make sure it is running properly before hot temperatures call for air conditioning.  Now is also the time to replace your HVAC filters.

9.  Paint the exterior – Painting or touching up paint on the exterior of your home not only makes it look better, but will also help protect the home from the elements.

10.  Check your home’s grading – Ensure the grading of your yard slopes away from your home’s foundation to keep excess moisture at bay.

                                                    Call me today to find out more ways you can get your home ready for the warmer weather!

The origin of Mother’s Day goes back to the ancient Greeks and Romans and can then be traced to Mothering Sunday in the UK – way before it made an appearance in the US!

The early Greeks and Romans celebrated a spring festival dedicated to the maternal goddesses (aren’t we all goddesses?) which began 250 B.C.  Early Christians later celebrated a Mother’s Day on the 4th Sunday of Lent to honor the Virgin Mary. In the 1600’s England expanded the holiday to include all mothers and called it “Mothering Sunday” where children brought gifts and flowers to pay tribute to their own mothers.    The tradition faded by the 19th century, however it came back to be celebrated after World War II when American servicemen brought the custom back with them to the US . Retailers loved the idea and, that’s when it became more commercialized.

Today Mother’s Day is celebrated in 46 countries where people take the opportunity to pay tribute to their mothers and thank them for all their love and support.

I know I am so thankful for my Mom and hope you enjoy celebrating your mothers on their special day, whether you can be together or cherish the memories!

Homeowners obviously know their homes better than anyone, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best salespersons for their properties.

Some sellers are tempted to try a For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transaction because their local community is in the midst of a sellers’ market and they think they can sell easily without help. Others try the FSBO route because they want to maximize their profits and avoid paying a commission to a Realtor.

However, statistics show that selling your home with the assistance of a professional real estate agent will garner you a higher profit, enough to cover the commission as well as put more money in your pocket. According to the National Association of Realtor’s 2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, the average FSBO sales price was $174,900, while the average price for a home represented by an agent was $215,000, a difference of $40,100, (obviously not the Stamford area but the numbers are still meaningful).

Why to Sell With a Realtor

Choosing to sell with a professional rather than on your own makes sense for a variety of reasons:

• A Realtor has access to market data about recent sales and other homes on the market that can be used to price your home appropriately. Studies show that homes priced right when they’re first listed sell more quickly and for a higher price than those that linger on the market.
• A Realtor can have your home available to be shown when you aren’t available (see the next bullet point), can respond to inquiries from potential buyers and their agents, and can get valuable feedback from visitors – all things that save you time.
• Buyers typically prefer to look at a home without the seller present so they can feel more comfortable exploring the rooms and visualizing themselves in the property. At an FSBO sale, the seller must be present.
• A Realtor can look at your home objectively and suggest ways to improve its appearance – by staging and minor repairs – so it appeals to more buyers.
• A Realtor can screen visitors to your home, which provides a measure of safety that FSBO sellers don’t have. In addition, by checking to see if the buyers are legitimate and can afford to purchase your home, a Realtor can help you avoid wasting time showing your home to unrealistic buyers.
• Realtors have professional marketing expertise, contacts with other Realtors who work with buyers (the Greater Fairfield County MLS has approx. 8,000 members!), and the support of a brokerage that can market your home more widely than you can as an individual.
• A Realtor can help you negotiate a contract that not only garners you an appropriate price for your home, but that meets your needs for a settlement date.

FSBO Dangers

Most buyers today work with a buyers’ agent to represent their interests. If you choose to sell your home on your own, you’ll be negotiating with a professional and relying on your own skill to finalize a contract. Not only could you end up selling your home for less money, you could leave yourself open to potential legal problems.

FSBO transactions can be successful, of course, but 90 percent of homeowners prefer to work with a professional rather than risk an unsatisfactory home selling experience.

Call me and let’s discuss what could work for you.

Over the last six years, homeownership has lost some of its allure as a financial investment. As homeowners suffered through the housing bust, more and more began to question whether owning a home was truly a good way to build wealth. A study by the Federal Reserve formally answered this question.

Some of the findings revealed in their report:

• The average American family has a net worth of $77,300
• Of that net worth, 61.4% ($47,500) of it is in home equity
• A homeowner’s net worth is over thirty times greater than that of a renter
• The average homeowner has a net worth of $174,500 while the average net worth of a renter is $5,100

Bottom Line

Real Estate is a service oriented business, where our job is not to make the decisions about buying and selling a home, but to help guide our clients in making the best decision for themselves.  Sometimes this involves giving unpopular advice but I consider my job to try to keep my clients objectively focused on their ultimate goal – buying or selling a home.

My philosophy has always been to offer the best service that my 28+ years of real estate experience allows me to share.  William Raveis Real Estate shares the same philosophy, that our client comes above all else.  I take pride that at the end of our transaction when William Raveis sends the customer satisfaction survey, the majority of my clients take the time to fill it out and send it back.  The feedback is invaluable and I’m happy to say that I was just honored to receive the
“2013 Excellence in Customer Service Award” for our Stamford offices.

So, is the customer always right?  I defer to Stew Leonard, who has a big sign at the entrance to his stores that says:

Rule #1  The Customer is Always Right

Rule #2  If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule #1

  Call me and let me help you make the right decision!

What is a “Pocket Listing”?  This is a listing where a homeowner lists with an agent but they do not put the home out to the whole brokerage community through the multiple listing system, literally keeping the listing “in the pocket of the listing agent”.

Off-market, private, or pocket listings are becoming more commonplace.   Some sellers are being persuaded to keep their properties off of the Multiple Listing Service  during what is starting to become a hot real estate market with low inventory.  Generally sellers are being told that by keeping their property listing “private” their privacy will not be invaded by troops of public gawkers traipsing through their homes, and that they will not have to hassle with signs, lock-boxes, and agents showing their homes, etc. Whatever the rationale being sold to some sellers, it is unfortunate because they are unknowingly leaving large percentages of potential profits on the table. It seems that  some brokers/agents whose integrity might be called into question, are playing coy and first gaining the sellers’ confidence and  then encouraging them to keep their property off the Multiple List Service (“MLS”).

Let’s look at what  an agent’s motivation might be.  The claim that some brokers and agents are using to convince sellers to have a “private” or “pocket” listing/sale is to guarantee buyers to their clients. However, in a lot of instances those guaranteed buyers are coming from the broker’s and agent’s own offices or circles of close friends which dramatically reduces exposure to the marketplace, but allows for the brokers and agents to possibly double-end the transaction, or “keep the whole deal in the office.”

What they also fail to tell unsuspecting sellers is that exposing the property on the MLS places it in front of over 8,000 local networked broker and agent members, all of whom then have the possibility to work with the property. Limiting exposure to the MLS is by definition limiting the marketability of the property. And coincidentally these “private” or “pocket” listings are common when the real estate market heats up and there is limited inventory.

It is a violation of a listing broker’s fiduciary duty to the seller to keep the home off the MLS unless the homeowner, after being fully and faithfully informed, has a legitimate reason for not marketing the property to all brokers and agents in the MLS. It is always in a seller’s best interest to have a massive advertising of a home, which encourages and promotes bidding wars and greater sales prices. Sellers who are convinced to have an “off-market” listing probably do not recognize the advantages of placing their home on the MLS, so they acquiesce and go along with their broker or agent’s recommendation based on guarantees from their broker/agent that they will get either equally as good a sale price by doing so with less hassle.

Brokers and agents have the duty to exercise care, integrity, fair-dealing, and loyalty for their customers. This task consists of performing their best possible acts and conduct to acquire the greatest sales price for the home. Recommending “private” or “pocket” listings is typically NOT in a seller’s best interests. There are however exceptions or rare occasions where these type sales make sense for sellers, but they are extremely rare.

The MLS was designed to subject properties to maximum exposure leading to a maximum sales price for the specific timeframe. Leaving a property off of the MLS dramatically limits exposure – doing exactly opposite of what a seller should be doing.

The brokers and agents who recommend “private” or “pocket” or “off-market” listings should be held to answer with specific reasons and factual details for this recommendation and be asked to provide verifiable proof that their recommendation will lead to a maximum sales price for the seller. The bottom line is that a broker or agent will never be able to prove that limiting exposure of a home by preventing the listing on the MLS will maximize the sales price.

Adapted from a post by Shelly Roberson
Alain Pinel Realtors, Palo Alto, CA