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   I recently read an interesting article written by James Goldsmith, an attorney with Caldwell & Kearns discussing legal implications of warranties on new construction in Pennsylvania so I thought I'd pass it on.

  In common law all new construction comes with an implied broad based warranty that the home is reasonably constructed and habitable.  A four year statute of limitations exists, within which time one might bring suit for a breach of such a warranty.  This period can be extended under certain conditions.  There can also be written warranties which are much more specific, these can be offered directly from the builder or through a third-party warranty provider.

  Each type of warranty has its pros and cons.  An implied warranty, being broad, may actually cover more than a specific written warranty.  A warranty provided by a third party may offer better coverage than one provided by a builder that is protected by being incorporated or some other government entity that makes it difficult or impossible to acquire a judgement.  The key is, to know everything possible about what the warranty on your newly constructed home is.  Ask for all written warranty documentation before writing an offer, review it thouroughly, ask the advice of an attorney if you have any questions or concerns.  It is also a great idea to do some research on the builder and ask for references.  Knowing what you are getting into up front can be a great peace of mind.  Happy Home Hunting!

   Today's market is still a very competitive place for selling a home!   A buyer forms an opinion of a property quickly, and typically if this opinion is negative it is difficult to recover and change their mind.  I have listened to people say that a place needs a lot of work when all major systems and components have been updated and love a house when none are.  Keep in mind that buyers have plenty to choose from, so you want to form an impression that stands out in their minds.  The two best ways to do that and are within your control are simple; Price and Condition

   If you would consider your house the average (be honest with yourself) in the area, you may want to consider a below market pricing strategy or offering incentives such as a new appliance, a home warranty/seller assistance with closing costs.  Perhaps your home stands out already, then you should consider pricing at market value rather than above.  Remember, everyone loves a deal!

   A fresh coat of paint and a thourough cleaning (including the outdoor spaces) offer the greatest impact and according to multiple sources beige is no longer best.  Popular colors are warm neutral tones like wheat or sage, overly personalized colors like dark blues and reds limit your buyer pool.  Most people figure "well, they'll probably want to paint anyway" and that is probably true, however, it is about the image they develop immediately in their mind.   Be sure to fill in nail holes, remove outlet covers, and use tape to get clean sharp lines.  If you are not a good painter, consider hiring someone!  Another big bang for your buck is lighting, there are lots of inexpensive fixtures that will add an updated appearance.  Also, consider smell!  Many emotions are rooted in smell, cookies baking can illicit images of spending holidays with friends and family, the smell of baby oil or bath makes mothers reminisce of when their children were little, a special cologne, all bring a special memory to the forefront of our minds.  I have had many clients that will not even view a home with an offensive odor present. 

      Buying or selling a home is typically an emotional time for all involved so use it to your advantage!

I have gotten some really great comments in the past, so if you have something to share about our relationship in real estate please "do tell".....

Are you a cup half full or half empty kind of person?  I have been thinking a lot about perception lately, especially since this horrific shooting in Arizona.  The president's favorability rating spiked after his memorium speech and we've seen similar correlations in relation to the economy as well.  The president comes out and tries his best to quell fears, and the stock market rises.  He touches chords in our heart strings and people like him again?  I have heard reports that savings in the country has risen dramatically! Why? I think it is driven by fear.  Since things are so bad the best thing is to stash my dollars away and wait for a brighter outlook.

While there are real issues that affect millions of people, a lot of the issues hinge on people's perceptions.  There is certainly no news stories on the statistics of how many people own their home and are up to date on their mortgage payments (which is the case for the majority of Americans). We are typically innundated with the negative, which makes staying positive a daily struggle.

I deal with this on a daily basis, which I am sure many of us do.  As an independant contractor, I often have to give myself little pep talks to keep pushing forward.  Afterall, I drive my own buisness and a negative outlook puts me at a red light on the road of life.  I love these billboards that give a little positive tidbit about great things happening during a recession.  Search out your positives!  Have your own outlook and put them at the forefront of your day, have a great one!