Rita Thieme

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Rita Thieme, in Upton and the greater Metrowest area
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About Me
As a Real Estate broker and Realtor I have listed and sold real estate in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts for the past 6 years. For my seller clients I develop specialized marketing plans for their individual property including CD presentations, on-line advertising through Google AdWords, and personal website. For my buyer cliends, I hold designation of Certified Buyer’s Representative. This specialized training refined my negotiation skills which can be put to your best advantage!

Prior to becoming a Realtor.I had a 30 year career in newspaper advertising and marketing. I've written ads, understand the benefits and disadvantages of all types of media and have also worked in creative promotion. I'm extremely strong in project management (which means when I manage your sale or purchase I'm on top of all the details.

Check out my website and if you're in the market to buy or sell, contact me for great service!

Rita
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Rita Thieme's Answers (33)
Phill, Just Looking in 94102

We're considering home renovations -- what improvements will bring us the most value?

Asked Tue Sep 11 2007, 15:59 by Phill  -  Hayes Valley  -  Curb Appeal  -  9 answers
Rita Thieme answered:
Kitchens and baths. Kitchens and baths!!!! Always.

But I wouldn't add rooms necessarily. My guess would be that a 3 bedroom, 3 bath condo would start to be priced similarly to single family homes. And that will increase the competition for your property.

Rather, make sure your bathrooms are TIP TOP! And maybe resurface your kitchen cabinets, change out the hardware and put in new (granite?) countertops.

Now if you're looking to improve the property for your own use, you might re-do the kitchen overall.

Incidentally, I'm no longer an advocate of Jacuzzi style bathtubs. I think they sound appealing but anyone who has had one knows that a big whirlpool tub takes a heck of a lot of water to fill. If you're going to change out your tub, make it a soaking tub that is smaller, ergonomic and pretty to look at.

Good luck,
Rita - Mon Sep 17 2007, 07:46
Bahareh, Home Buyer in Virginia

I want to buy a single family house around $600,000 and my friends keep telling me housing market will go down

Asked Sun Sep 16 2007, 05:27 by Bahareh  -  22066  -  Foreclosure  -  17 answers
Rita Thieme answered:
Buy! For sure!

See the benefit of buying is that you get to live there! Presumably the neighborhood for a rental would be less desirable than one where you would pruchase?

Even if property values decline, over time they would increase. By buying now, you will get yourself settled, you will begin to enjoy the pleasure of home ownership, you will get to know the neighbors. And yes, you will enjoy the tax writeoff.

The only reason I can see to wait would be the area you live in.... IF the Democrats were to win the White House there will be a huge turnover in properties in the general Washington DC area. Now THAT could create some buying opportunities.

On the otherhand, it's still a long way off till the elections, and even if that turnover depressed the DC area market at that point, you're still looking to stay in the area for the long haul.

I'd buy.

Good luck,
Rita - Mon Sep 17 2007, 07:40
Tyler Moxley, Real Estate Pro in Pleasanton

How can I create a bigger 'buzz' around a listing when there are already 3 on the street?

Asked Tue Jun 12 2007, 18:10 by Tyler Moxley  -  Pleasanton  -  Home Selling  -  6 answers
Rita Thieme answered:
How good is your listing versus the others? If it's the same or better, then I would consider a neighborhood open house. Get the other brokers involved. Get them to share the marketing costs. Invite the neighbhors and ask them to invite family members who might want to live in the neighborhood too.

Good luck,
Rita - Mon Sep 17 2007, 07:34
Sue Mckenna, Home Seller in Chicago

wondering would I be better off not throwing 20,000 into repairs/updates and just pricing 2 flat less?

Asked Wed Sep 12 2007, 08:05 by Sue Mckenna  -  West Lawn  -  Home Selling  -  6 answers
Rita Thieme answered:
If these are truly repairs, then yes, definitely do it! Updates, however, are more subjective.

My recommendation would be to look at other properties in the price range you're hoping to sell yours for. And be brutally frank with yourself. Is the current condition of your home as good as those other properties? If the answer is no, then do the updates.

The benefit of updates in a buyers market is that your property would presumably go to the top of the list based on desirability. This is an important concern if you are looking to sell quickly.

I wouldn't be concerned with generating a higher sale price for the upgrades. Rather, if you can get your investment back and get your property sold quicker, then the upgrades are still a good investment.

Good luck,
Rita - Mon Sep 17 2007, 07:31
Bryan Sereny,…, Real Estate Pro in Miami Beach

When do you think the market will trun around?

Asked Sun Sep 16 2007, 19:17 by Bryan Sereny,…  -  33139  -  Foreclosure  -  23 answers
Rita Thieme answered:
If anyone saw former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan on 60 Minutes last night, you know that he sees Real Estate making a rebound but that the longer term concern he has is the rebirth of inflation. The sense I got from the itnerview was that it could be another year or so before a turnaround. But locally in Massachusetts, I believe this winter and next summer will be the best time for buyers to make deals.

Good luck,
Rita - Mon Sep 17 2007, 07:15
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