Bonnie Tegge's Blog

By Bonnie Tegge | Agent in Virginia Beach, VA

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Did You Forget About the Little Companions?

Posted Under: Home Selling | November 9, 2008 2:52 PM | 26 views | No comments

I read an article in the Virginian Pilot today regarding the effect of the current economy on pets. It was quite disturbing, to say the least! At the Norfolk shelter alone 1,000 extra pets will be surrendered to shelter this year - above the 5,300 animals annually brought to the shelter. We have several shelters that have a "no kill" policy. But what happens when these shelters are full?
More and more people are loosing their homes and having to move to rentals. Most rentals now don't allow pets or large pets. So what happens to those pets? They are surrendered or even worse - LEFT BEHIND in the empty homes! What a tragedy!!
Okay, about the shelters with the "no-kill" policy: the one in Norfolk, VA actually has given pet owners food for their animals until "they get on their feet". This will help keep pets out of the shelters. I think we need to go one step further!
All shelters are running low as donations are way down (again, thanks to the economy). For those who can afford it, I think donations of different types of pet foods would be helpful. Financial donations that would assist pet owners "down on their luck" with medical supplies and vaccinations would be awesome! Of course, I believe it should be mandatory that all pets assisted should be neutered/spayed. If a pet owner cannot afford that pet, how can they afford a litter as well?
These little companions are dependent on resposible adults and owners and deserve a chance, instead of just being LEFT BEHIND.
Oh, and by the way, did I mention the kitten being thrown out a window on a highway? Donations poured in to save the kitten but he eventually didn't make it-after about $3,000 in surgeries and medical assistance. AND, a Pomeranian was found wandering a street. It had been recently groomed yet, no one claimed it.
Let's do something to make sure these little creatures are taken care of as well since, well, they are obviously not included in the "Bail-Out"!
The Importance of Your Home's Appearance While on the Market

Posted Under: Home Selling in Virginia Beach | October 31, 2008 7:28 AM | 67 views | 4 comments

Why hasn't my home sold yet? I bet you hear or ask this over and over! The topic of a Home's Appearance while on the market has been discussed, blogged, and integrated into Home Selling Proposals and pamphlets for years and years yet, it seems people just don't pay attention to this! It's worth mentioning again.

For example, when researching listings on the local MLS for clients, I have found plenty of photos in the listings that show so much clutter, how can anyone actually see the HOME? I have seen photos of kitchens with towels, cleaners, napkins and appliances - oh! Not to mention the refrigerators overtaken by magnets!

Now, I'm showing property to clients. When we step into a home (let's not mention tons of wallpaper and different colors of carpet throughout!) I see loads of pictures on table (of course the doily's underneath!); stacks and stacks of magazines; and then the walls and mantles? We have the butterflies, wall-mount candle-holders AND MORE PICTURES - a conglomeration of personal effects that become overwhelming!

Don't get me wrong - not EVERY home is like this. I've seen plenty of homes that are very well staged, most personal effects stored (hey, you don't have to take them down and pack them later!), and minimal decorations so the home can actually be seen!

Sellers, listen to your agents when they recommend minimizing clutter and personal effects. Keep the home clean and ready for a viewing at all times! If you are a smoker or have several pets, take the smoking outside and stay on top of the pet odor...clean, clean, clean! Use scented candles or discrete air fresheners. If at all possible, neutralize colors on walls and if the carpet is not a neutral color, offer a carpet allowance.

Open houses: put a loaf of bread, cookies, brownies in the oven while holding the house open. This gives a homey feeling to the home and works. A great friend and awesome peer of mine also suggests putting apples in the oven with cinnamon and sugar. After the open house you have a great treat waiting for you!

Any other suggestions? Please Post!