 |
|
|
|
|
Welcome to my Website
|
|
Here you'll be able to obtain information on properties that have been matched to you by our automated system, calculate a mortgage payment, get tax rate information and information on communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I am hoping that my website will assist you whether you are buying or selling a home.
|
|
Who is Ann Marie Bartlett?
|
Ann Marie is personally involved with all buyers and sellers to provide the highest level of service. Her outside sales experience of 17 years as District Manager for some of the top Fortune 500 Companies (Sharp, McGraw-Hill, Toshiba and Office Depot) have provided her with the skill and tenacity needed when negotiating the sale or purchase of your home.
Licensed in Worcester, MA in 2006, Ann Marie will be able to assist you and guide you through the selling or buying process. Born in Worcester, MA and an active member of the community, she possesses first hand knowledge of the nuances throughout the central Massachusetts marketplace.
Clients enjoy her energy and enthusiasm as she makes the process fun rather than stressful by educating her clients in advance and listening intently to assure their needs are being met. Moreover, they appreciate the safe, pressure-free atmosphere she provides.
Ann Marie chose to align herself with RE/MAX Vision because of their reputation for professionalism throughout the industry. In addition, she has created a strong network of the area’s top lenders, appraisers, inspectors, and contractors.
On a personal note, when Ann Marie is not working you can find her in the garden or hiking.
|
|
My Committment to Service You
|
Represent your interests above all other parties, including my own throughout the home buying process.*
Keep all information regarding you confidential.
Inform you of any information we may have about a seller’s urgency and motivation to sell the property.*
Advise you about the real estate market, procedures, customs, conditions, and contracts, then make recommendations to assist you throughout the buying process.
Search, using all available methods, to locate the home that will best meet your needs.
Advise you to the advantages and disadvantages of each home you tour.
Assist you in evaluating the market value of homes that interest you.
Prepare offers and counter-offers on your behalf and in your best interest.
Negotiate the optimum price and terms for you.*
Fully disclose any limitations on our duties if you should pursue the purchase of a RE/MAX Vision listing.*
Obtain your written informed consent to limited dual agency if the situation arises.*
*The limitations described in the RE/MAX Vision listing are that Dual Agency will apply if you offer to purchase a home, which is or has been listed by RE/MAX Vision.
|
|
The Choice to Buy v. Rent - Your Options:
|
Before you set out to purchase a home, it is important to know if buying is the best option for you. Below are some items to be mindful of when making this important decision.
FREEDOM FROM RENT INCREASES
With a fixed rate mortgage, your payments of principal and interest remain the same. You will no longer have to fear rental increases when you own your own home.
BUILDING EQUITY FOR THE FUTURE
Once you make a rental payment you never see that money again. However, with each mortgage payment you are buying something tangible and building equity in your home. Typically, the longer you own your home, the more equity you have in your home.
KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION
Owning your home helps you to keep up with inflation. Historically, real estate appreciates faster than the rate of inflation, thereby making home ownership one of the best financial investments you can make.
SECURITY FOR RETIREMENT
If you live in your home long enough, it will eventually be paid off allowing you to live rent-free throughout retirement.
PAYBACK ON IMPROVEMENTS
As a renter, you get no financial benefits for any improvements. When you own your home however, you may realize some or all of the costs associated with home improvements when you sell your home.
Lifestyle
When living in a neightborhood full of homeowners, they, like you, are willing to invest time, money and effort into the care of their property. This ultimately will improve the value of your property.
It will be yours
When owning your own home, you are no longer faced with the restrictions that renters face. You may make any renovations that you like, paint the walls in any color you choose, and hang pictures anywhere you want to place them.
|
|
Seller's To Do List
|
The idea situation is 6 months – 1year before you sell have someone you trust or a home inspector view your home with a critical eye and write down what they see needs addressing. If it is a friend or relative do not forget to send them a “Thank You” note for their time and honesty afterwards.
6 Months – 1 Year Prior to Listing:
Paint walls that are dinged, marked and dirty, written on or unusual colors with neutral colors.
If you have a wall with your family’s progress (ages – heights) on it, take a close up picture of it and make a collage and frame it to take with you, and then paint the wall. Don’t forget to paint ceilings also.
If carpet is stained, worn, faded or torn, clean it or if need be replace or remove.
Don’t forge to check the roof. Clean off debris, if shingles are cracked – turning up – broken or missing – repair or replace them.
Exterior stairs and railings should be solid and in good condition. If house needs painting – do it. All trim should be in good condition. Exterior doors should be in good condition and easy to work.
If battery smoke detectors are more than 5 years old install new ones. Install CO detectors.
Get rid of unregistered vehicles and any broken or out-dated yard equipment.
3-6 Months Prior to Listing:
Yes, the family pet is lovable, but not to everyone. Make arrangements for them to be inaccessible and their sleeping and feeding areas to be out of the way during showings.
Empty closets of outgrown, outdated, out of season clothes and shoes. Those you will not be using for 4 – 5 months pack up now.
3-6 Months Prior to Listing continued…
Power wash vinyl or aluminum siding and stain decks and porches.
Clean and organize garages and outside storage sheds.
Define an area out of way and direct sight for storage of packed boxes that will be moving with you or given away. Get rid of the give-a-ways ASAP.
1-3 Months Prior to Listing:
Replace burnt out or broken light bulbs repair or replace broken light fixtures.
Clean windows and window sills (especially between screens/storms and inside window). Replace and repair any windows that are broken or have broken seals. Also clean window treatments and replace any torn ones.
Keep kitchen appliances and cabinets organized and clean so they look spacious. Keep kitchen counter tops clear of clutter. Kitchens and baths are major selling points.
Stage the master bedroom to look as spacious as possible. All clothes and shoes should be hung up or put away neatly, dresser tops cleared of jewelry and stuff, arrange a seating area that looks peaceful and inviting, make sure linens are color coordinated and in good shape.
Clean out weeds around house and mulch gardens, trim shrubs.
Check gutters for clogging and proper drainage.
For Showings until Sold:
Dress up dining room table with a pretty tablecloth, crystal and china.
Keep bathrooms picked up, clean, color coordinated.
Keep yard mowed or walkways shoveled as needed. Keep gardens fresh looking in season.
Keep fresh flowers in vases.
|
|
Having an Open House?
|
Here's a checklist of things you should make sure you've done before your open house:
• Double check that your home is white-glove clean and de-cluttered of personal stuff, including things you may be very proud of but which are not appropriate for open houses, such as unusual paintings or family portraits. The reason agents ask sellers to remove pictures of themselves and their family is to make the house seem neutral. You want the buyer to imagine themselves living there.
• If you're working with an agent, be sure you understand exactly when the open houses will be, including a mid-week "brokers only" open house. Your agent will likely conduct all the open houses her/himself, and in fact many state licensing departments stipulate that a licensed agent must conduct MLS-affiliated open houses. If your agent has some last-minute emergency preventing her from being present (or another open house), she will send another licensed agent. Weekend afternoons are obviously the best time to attract the largest number of house hunters.
• Your agent will take care of advertisements on your house. Always double check that details on your home are accurate (number of bdrms/bths., correct address, etc.). Advertisements including general directions to your home from the nearest main traffic artery or freeway or a link to an online map with driving directions can be very helpful. Convenience is #1.
• While working with an agent, plan to leave during your open house. No one wants to see sellers loitering around, and most agents won't allow it anyway.
• Be sure to safely store your valuables and prescription medications. It's rare, but occasionally theives will target open houses. Usually one person will distract the agent while the other looks for valuables.
• Keep your eyes on the prize! That means, in the words of the agent quoted above, that you might need to realign your attitude about your home. For you it holds a million memories. For a house hunter your home is one of many available for sale. The house hunter doesn't care about your experiences in the home and may not share your taste in home improvements. Think of your home as something you want to sell so you can move onto the next phase of your life. Try to detach your emotions and the selling process will be a lot easier and faster too. Remember that the pros refer to your home and every other home on the market as "inventory." And the idea is to sell "inventory," not to keep it on the shelf.
|
|
|
