Coldwell Banker DeSloover Realty Blog

For years, economists have used the study of behavioral finance to explain the role emotions play in investment decisions. Their observations have turned up some interesting results.

First, they’ve found that while investors know very well that the stock market has its ups and downs, some will still base investment decisions on the assumption that what’s happening now will continue in the future. For example, the home buyer driven by a hot market will engage in bidding wars, assuming that the market will continue to heat up. The buyer believes he or she has to buy now or lose out.

Second, they’ve found that other investors follow the “anchoring” concept, in which they hold off selling an asset in hopes that it will increase in value despite evidence to the contrary. In this scenario, home buyers stubbornly anchor themselves to an offering price even though the seller and buyer are only a few hundred dollars apart.

Third, they’ve found that some investors buy too much house for their budget or they forget about the crumbling foundation, because they love the seller’s decor.

Fourth, they’ve found that other investors fail to see beyond the clutter as to possibilities of a home.

To prevent such problems, the emotional home buyer needs the perspective of a real estate agent. Such a professional can separate the emotion from the investment so your dream house won’t become a nightmare.

How has the price of your home changed in today’s market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?

If you’re wondering what’s happening to prices in your area, or you’re thinking about selling your house, I’ll be able to help.

Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.

I won’t try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.

I’ll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value.

And maybe I’ll also give you the “inside scoop” on what’s happening in the housing market near where you live!

Just give my office a call or reply to this email to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office.

Frequent flyer miles can really add up, especially for those who know how to make the most of perks and other credit card incentives.

With a bit of planning and preparation, they might be your ticket to a great vacation destination or family outing.

After all, in tough economic times every little bit counts.

Following are four tips to help you get the most out of your frequent flyer miles:

1. Think Big: The best overall savings come from accumulating enough points for big trips rather than short overnight stays. Just be sure to watch out for expiration dates.

2. Routine Savings: Streamline record keeping and compile points by using a credit card for routine purchases. However, make sure you pay off the balance each month to avoid paying interest on everyday items like groceries.

3. Remain Flexible: It’s often possible to get some great seats if you are willing to be flexible with dates, times and even destinations. For example, rather than departing from a busy airport, try one with a little less traffic. Ditto for flying on holidays or during peak periods. Opt for off-peak periods instead.

4. Ask about Partner Perks: Many major airlines allow frequent flyer miles to be used on partner flights if you ask. Stick to the same carrier or alliance to boost the odds of obtaining the best seats.

It’s a catchy television ad, to say the least.

A sheepish pizza delivery guy is met at the door by a lingerie-clad lady and enticed inside to share her pizza.

Cue disgusted teen boy, who announces: “You’re not a delivery boy …Dad. No wonder I don’t have any friends.”

Ah, yes, the time-honored tradition of date night, when a married couple with kids steals time from their busy schedules for a weekly rendezvous.

Everybody seems to be doing it – even President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle.

They’ve been spotted all over Washington enjoying each other’s company.

According to Arthur Aron, a professor of social psychology at State University of New York at Stony Brook, you need to introduce some novelty into the game.

In an article that appeared in the New York Times, he suggested that new experiences with your partner fool the brain into re-creating the same feelings and releasing the same hormones you had in the early stages of romantic love.

If you don’t think you can keep the romance alive by revisiting old haunts, then try something new.

Walk on the beach, visit the zoo or even take up the tango.

And don’t talk about money or the kids. Talk about those things you love to do.

“When people talk about their passions, they light up and the brain chemistry changes,” says a blogger named jpwriter at Ehow.com.

Today’s typical family living in a three-bedroom, two-story home spends about $2,500 in energy costs each year. To better manage those costs, consider conducting your own energy audit.

First, find out how much energy is being used, by keeping a log and reading your meter each week. At the end of four weeks, add up the kilowatts used and divide the total by the number of days to get your average daily usage. Once the audit is complete and changes are made, monitor usage again. The next step is to walk around the house and check for the following:

Inside

• Any air leaks and gaps at baseboards and where the walls and ceilings end up joining

• Air leaks around electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames and baseboards

• Gaps and cracks in weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches and air conditioners

• Gaps around pipes and wires

• Air leaks from mail slots

• Rattling from windows and doors, and daylight leaking in around frames

Outside

• Air leaks where two building materials meet

• Improperly caulked doors, windows and outdoor outlets

• Cracks in the mortar, foundation or siding

• Missing insulation in the home’s structure

• Improperly functioning heating/cooling equipment

• Filters that need to be replaced on forced-air furnaces

Planning to buy in 2011? Preparation is the key to getting the best deal when shopping for a new home. Following are some tips to help you get started:

Define Needs Versus Wants: Make a list of your needs versus wants in the new home. For example, if you have a large and growing family then four bedrooms might be a necessity, while a pool might be negotiable.

Select a Location: Spend some time driving around town, researching schools and local amenities, crime rates, and other safety considerations. Select three to five areas to focus your search on.

Get Pre-Qualified: Find out how much you will be eligible to borrow and begin the paperwork so you are prepared to move quickly should a great deal arise.

Contact an Agent: Ask family and friends, perform a search for real estate agents that specialize in your target area, or consider using the services of a buyer’s agent. Let them know the price range you have been approved for, the type of home and zip codes of interest.

Read, Set and Search: Sign up for automatic listing notifications and begin viewing prospective properties online. Ask your agent for additional photos, virtual tour links and a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange report, if available, which gives the insurance claim and loss history for residential properties. Once you find a property of interest, take a few minutes to google it before actually driving out in person. It’s often easy to see areas of concern from an aerial view as opposed to in person.

How has the price of your home changed in today’s market? How much are other homes in your neighborhood selling for?

If you’re wondering what’s happening to prices in your area, or you’re thinking about selling your house, I’ll be able to help.

Just give my office a call for a no-fuss, professional evaluation.

I won’t try to push you into listing with me or waste your time.

I’ll just give you the honest facts about your home and its value.

And maybe I’ll also give you the “inside scoop” on what’s happening in the housing market near where you live!

Just give my office a call or reply to this email to arrange an appointment. Alternatively, stop by at the office.

Thinking about hitting the highway or flying somewhere for a bit of rest and relaxation? Why not consider a volunteer vacation instead?

Volunteer vacations are relatively new phenomena that combine domestic or international travel with the opportunity to help others while enjoying yourself.

Depending upon the program, location and other specific criteria, room and board is often part of the experience, making it an affordable way to visit areas that might otherwise have been out of the question.

Some programs actually pay a small stipend for those that volunteer for longer-than-average durations.

If you are considering a volunteer vacation it is important to plan ahead, especially for overseas locations.

A passport/visa will be needed and you may have to get vaccinations.

Many programs have a limited number of spots available, or there may be qualification criteria, so make sure you apply early.

You can learn more at the following websites:

* http://charityguide.org/volunteer/vacations.htm
* http://www.americanhiking.org/volunteervacation.aspx
* http://www.globalvolunteers.org
* http://www.sierraclub.org/outings/national/service.aspx
* http://www.independenttraveler.com
* http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/volunteer/index.shtml