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Judy Kivela
Broker/Owner
    Years of Experience: 26

    CRS: Certified Residential Specialist
    GRI: Graduate REALTOR® Institute
    CDPE Certified Distress Property Expert, SRS
    WHS: Workforce Housing Specialist

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Kivela Montana Realtors
3100 Harrison Avenue
Butte, Montana
406-491-5777

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Posts Tagged ‘Selling a Home in Butte’

A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

First time buyers… excited to find a good deal, afraid of overextending themselves, confused by all the conflicting reports about real estate.  Well, that might describe any or all buyers right now, but those making their very first purchase may feel elevated levels of all these emotions.  It helps to have someone offer you some guidance.

Don’t be afraid to make your move now, regardless of what you’ve been hearing about the market.  With affordability so high, you’ll find a flurry of activity out there, so you’re not alone in making the right decision to begin your home search.

Just try not to exercise excessive caution, or you may suffer what has been termed “paralysis by analysis.”  Your real estate representative will present you with all the facts and figures you need, and help you to interpret the data so that you can make a sound choice.

Now is not the time to vacillate about whether prices or interest rates will still drop.  There is nowhere to go now but up.  If rates rise to 7.5% (still historically low), the home’s price would have to be reduced nearly 20% to offset the difference in monthly payments.

Set aside your uncertainties.  Chat with an agent who can help you determine your financial footing, and show you an inventory of well-suited homes matched to your particular goals.

For responsible service in all your

Real Estate needs call, Judy Kivela 406-491-5777

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Posted in Buy House | No Comments »

4 Ways to Set Up the Perfect Home Office in Your Butte Home for Sale

Monday, October 19th, 2009

If you have a Butte home for sale, every room needs to be just right. Most people think about the kitchens and bedrooms, but these days a great looking home office can make a huge impact too. Check out a few ways you can make a big impact:

Designate the right space

Whether it’s a spare bedroom or a computer nook, you need to specify a separate place to do business. Make sure the area has enough room so that you can set up a desk, chair, computer and a printer without making it look messy.

Clean your area

To really have a good home office, the space needs to be neat. To make your home office look its best to potential buyers, get rid of clutter and only retain the essentials.

Don’t waste money

Just because you have a home office doesn’t mean you need to go broke trying to furnish it when preparing your Butte home for sale. Think about wants versus needs first. Then once you get the necessities, use any left over money to buy office supplies such as ink cartridges, computer paper and more.

Add a decorative touch

Now that you have what you need, it’s okay to add some decorative style. Hang artwork. Add a few plants.  But, remember to keep it simple and neutral so that potential buyers can easily imagine it as their own home office.

Many people don’t think of the importance of a home office when preparing their Butte home for sale. But with so many people working from home, a dedicated space for a home office is a great selling point.

If you’re ready to sell your home, with or without a home office, I can help.  Call me now at 406-491-1234or email me.

LINKS

Computer nook

http://www.ehow.com/how_2156879_transform-closet-computer-nook.html

Good home office

http://interiordec.about.com/od/planninganoffice/a/budgethomeoffic.htm

Artwork

http://familyfinances.suite101.com/article.cfm/find_cheap_art_online

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Posted in Sell Your Home | No Comments »

4 Things That Can Stop You from Closing on a New Butte Home for Sale

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Purchasing a Butte home for sale, especially as a first-time buyer, is incredibly exciting. However, just because your offer is accepted doesn’t mean the deal is done. Lots of things can still cause the deal to fall through. Here are just a few things that might slow or stop your purchase:

  1. Termites – Most lenders will insist on having a pest inspection to make sure termites or carpenter ants haven’t seriously damaged the home. Even if your particular lender doesn’t require an inspection, it’s best that you get one done anyway. If the pest inspection shows there is a severe problem, you can either ask the seller to pay to have the problem fixed or walk away if your purchase agreement allows it. At less than $100, a pest inspection is definitely worth the cost.
  2. Bad Title – During the escrow process, have a title search done by a title company and purchase title insurance. The search makes sure that there isn’t a lien or claim against the property, while the title insurance guarantees that there aren’t any issues with the title. If there are issues, they have to be taken care of before you can receive the keys to the Butte home for sale.
  3. House Defects – Make sure that your purchase offer has a home inspection contingency. If the inspection reveals big issues, you can back out without any penalties. Otherwise, you might lose your earnest money. If you don’t want to back out, you’ll have to negotiate the cost of the repairs with the seller. This can delay closing.
  4. Uninsurable Home - Sometimes previous homeowners will have made a major insurance claim, which shows up on insurance records. In this case, insurance companies may claim the house to be uninsurable, which means you won’t be able to get a loan for the home.

Before looking at a Butte home for sale, make sure you’re acquainted with the closing and escrow processes, and be prepared for any problems that may arise. The more equipped you are for any eventuality, the better your chances of moving into the home you want.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, let me help you negotiate a contract that protects you from potential problems. Call me at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information.

Links:

Pest inspection:  Link to a page on your website about this or to your preferred pest inspection company.  Or, link to http://www.pestinspection.net/

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Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

6 Reasons Why Now Is The Best Time For Butte Home Remodels

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Cash in your pocket and equity in your Butte home?  If you’ve been thinking about making changes to your house but thought you couldn’t afford a remodel, it’s time to rethink the possibilities.  The payback on renovations in cost versus higher home value, should you decide to sell your house later, can be better than you thought.

Reason #1: Lower bids from the contractors.  The home renovation business is falling with the current housing market, leading to lower bids for the homeowner’s remodeling project.  In addition, most contractors are willing to negotiate with you for a better price, leaving you with a beautiful remodel for an excellent price.

Reason #2: Higher number of contractors to choose from.  Although homeowners are still making repairs and working on their houses, the number of bigger additions and fancy remodels is going down.  More contractors are competing against each other for your project.

Reason #3: Lower financing costs.  If you have good credit and a steady economic foundation, you can get lower financing costs.  This, in turn, makes the project that much more affordable.

Reason #4: Lower cost of materials.  Because the number of major remodels is dropping, the demand for materials (and thus the cost) is also dropping.

Reason #5: Less waiting time for a top-rated remodeling contractor.  With a lower number of people wanting to remodel their Butte home, even top-rated professionals have a shorter waiting list.

Reason #6: Better service.  With more competition, contractors are definitely giving “service with a smile.”  Calls are being returned faster; jobs are starting on time (or before!).

If you looked into remodeling your Butte home more than a year ago, now is definitely the time to do something about it.  However, even in this sweet time for remodeling, be aware of shady companies and shoddy work.  Do your research before accepting any contractor.

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How Do You Price Your Butte Home For Sale?

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

If you’re looking for the right price to list your Butte home for sale, you may need to call on a real estate professional.  Pricing your home to sell in this buyer’s market is part research and part experience.

You don’t want to overprice your Butte home for sale because you don’t want it to sit on the market week after week.  A home that is priced too high for the area will not attract as many buyers as a more reasonably priced home.  If you price your home below market value, you’re likely to receive several offers that will drive the sale price up, so you don’t have to worry about getting less money for your home than it’s worth.

A good way to get an idea of the current value of your home is to get the sale prices of homes that have recently sold in your area.  Your real estate agent can gather that information for you. Look for homes similar to yours in size, location and condition.

When setting the price of your home, you may also want to take a look at the listings that have expired in your area.  You may find that the homes were overpriced for your neighborhood or that some homes remain on the market because the home wasn’t updated or in good condition.  Try to learn what caused the listing to expire and work to avoid the same mistakes.

You should not list your Butte home for sale at a price that you aren’t comfortable with.  Explain to your agent the concerns that you have about the home’s sale price and ask for his or her professional opinion about the price that you have chosen.

Want help pricing your home correctly?  Let me put together an analysis of current home prices in your neighborhood.  It’s free and at absolutely no obligation.  To get your analysis, call me today at 406-491-1234 or email me.

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5 Steps Owners of Butte Homes for Sale Should Follow

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

There’s a lot of competition in the current market for Butte homes for sale.  If you’re thinking about adding your home to the list, this checklist is for you.

#1.  Set your goals. What do you expect from your sale?  Do you just want to get rid of the home, or do you want the highest price possible?  Will you be ready if a buyer wants to close quickly?  The answers to these questions factor into how much time it takes for a house to come off the market.

#2.  Decide whether to use an agent or not. Although many Butte homes for sale go faster and at better prices with a real estate agent, it’s still possible to get a decent price doing it yourself.  If you decide to use an agent, interview them and talk to their past clients to make sure you feel confident in their services.

#3.  Set your home price. This is tricky, because if you don’t set the right price, your house can sit on the market for a long time and sell for much less than it’s worth.  If you hire an agent, they’ll analyze comparable homes and find a good price.  If you don’t hire an agent, make sure you look at recent sales on comparable homes, as well as neighborhood demographics to find the right price.

#4.  Find the problems and get serious issues fixed. Although you aren’t obligated to hire a home inspector, a professional home inspection can help head off serious issues that can delay the sale.  If you can fix the serious issues, do so.  If you can’t, you can still sell the house “as is,” as a fixer-upper.  Keep records of everything you do fix.

#5.  Consider staging your home. From curb appeal to inside style, home stagers can help your house look its best.  Studies show that, in general, staged homes sell faster and for better prices than those that haven’t been staged.

Adding your house to the list of Butte homes for sale will be an exercise in patience, but following this checklist can help make the exercise a much shorter one.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, please allow me to interview for the job.  Call me today at 406-491-1234 or email me for more information or to schedule an interview.

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3 Cheap, Easy Ways to Make Your Home for Sale in Butte More Inviting

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Many putting up their home for sale on the Butte market don’t have a lot of available cash to spruce it up.  While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested “to-dos.”  Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your home look more inviting to buyers:

1. Put up your personal stuff

Not every buyer looking at a home for sale in Butte  appreciates the fact that someone still lives there.  Putting away the following things can help the buyers’ see themselves in the home:

*your pet’s things (toys, litter box, bowls)
*your medications, toothbrushes and toilet accessories
*any toys
*knick-knacks and personal pictures

    2. Create more space

    Small, closed in spaces are major turnoffs for buyers.  Create the illusion of more space by:

    *putting up out-of-season clothes or clothes you don’t wear very often to make your closets look bigger
    *taking one piece of furniture out of your bedroom
    *packing up the small appliances in your kitchen
    *taking out all but four chairs in your dining room, as well as extra table leaves

      3. Touch on the trends

      Chances are that some of the buyers are paying attention to celebrity trends.  Feng shui is a big one, and you can do your part with just a few touches:

      *add a fresh bowl of fruit to the kitchen
      *put a comfortable couch or chair on the east side of your living room or den
      *put a green welcome mat on your porch to symbolize opportunity
      *get rid of reds

        Whether you see or feel a difference doesn’t matter.  Keep in mind that you’re trying to appeal to potential buyers of your home for sale in [city], not make the home more livable for you.  If it helps, pretend that you’re the buyer, seeing the house for the first time.

        If you’re trying to get your home ready to sell, I can help.  Call me at 406-491-5777 or email me for more information.

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        Posted in Homes for Sale | No Comments »

        Your Butte Real Estate Agent and You

        Monday, July 27th, 2009

        As a Butte real estate agent, I get to meet people from all ends of the spectrum: buyers, sellers, renters, etc.  I also come across other agents, and it constantly amazes me at the different outlooks surrounding the real estate profession.  Many buyers think sellers and real estate agents are out to stiff them.  On the opposite side, many sellers think buyers and agents are out to stiff them.  Unfortunately, even some agents think both are out to stiff them.

        I know they say “it’s a dog eat dog world”, but if everybody was truly out to stiff everybody else (rather than just get a fair deal), nothing would ever get done.  There’s a big difference between a good agent and a crummy agent.  So, maybe we all need to be reminded of what a good Butte real estate agent really is:

        Your agent is your business associate. They are in the business of finding what you need, whether it’s a house to buy or a buyer for your house.  As a business associate, they look for the best deal for you, because the best deal for you is the best for them.

        Your agent is your negotiator. This goes along with the first, but is more in depth.  For instance, if you’re looking at new construction homes and the builder has a “buyer’s agent”, do you really think that agent is there to help you get the best deal?  No, they’re there to help the builder get the best deal.  That’s why you have your own agent there – you know they’re on your side.

        Your agent is your friend. Especially when you’re having problems selling your house, you’ll have a lot of worries.  A good Butte real estate agent will be there to listen to them and either a) relieve your worries or b) be understanding of them.

        As real estate agents, we understand that selling a house isn’t easy.  We understand that buying a house can be stressful.  We even understand that you may be stuck in a situation you’d rather not be in, such as during a foreclosure.  Good agents aren’t just agents; we’re good friends.

        If you need to sell your home or are looking to buy one, I’d love to help you.  Call me today at (406)491-1234 or email me at Judy@Montana.com.


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        Is There a Butte Home for Sale Your Pet Will Love?

        Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

        Some pet owners love their pets like children and, if you’re one of them, you’ll be understandably concerned about choosing a Butte home for sale that your pet would be comfortable in.  There are definite ways to make sure you get just that; here are just a few of them:

        1.  The features of the home are particularly important.  Before you go shopping for a pet friendly house, make a list of things your pet likes.  Also make a list of things your pet might destroy.  For instance, many cat owners find their pets ripping up the carpet.  A home with wood floors might be ideal.  If you have a dog, it’s probably important to have a fenced yard.  Many things are easy to overlook, but you’ll be sure to consider them if you make a list first.

        2.  The home’s layout might be hard on your pet.  If you have an older pet who has a hard time climbing stairs, a Butte home for sale with one story would be better than a two-story home.  Low windows or window ledges are perfect for cats, as well as an out of sight place to store a litter box.  In addition, remember your pet’s size.  The larger the animal, the more yard or bigger space you might need.

        3.  The Home Owner Association (HOA) may not allow pets, and those that do allow pets usually have pet restrictions.  Before deciding on a home, make sure that the HOA allows your particular pet.  Don’t take it for granted!  You may end up with severe penalties.

        4.  County and City code restrictions may also be an issue.  Several cities also have restrictions on the number of pets, the species and the type.  The pit bull ban is a very good example.

        5. A pet friendly neighborhood is the best place for you and your pet.  Look around the neighborhood and see if the neighbors are walking their dogs or have cats sleeping in windows.  Consider if the way they seem to take care of their pets is similar to yours.  If it isn’t, you might want to find another Butte home for sale.

        If you’re looking for a home that’s perfect for you and your pet, I can help.  Call me today at 406-491-5777 or email me for more information.

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        Posted in Homes for Sale | 1 Comment »

        6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Paint Before Putting Up Your Butte Home for Sale

        Monday, July 20th, 2009

        If you’re putting up your Butte home for sale, it may be time to bring out the brush and spackle.  This doesn’t just mean on the outside, but everywhere.  If you’re not sure whether you need to do it, here are a few ways to tell:

        1.  Peeling exterior – You may be used to the home and not see the peeling paint, but, as any real estate agent will tell you, curb appeal is very important.  If buyers don’t like the way your home looks on the outside, they very seldom go inside.  If the paint is peeling, it’s time to redo it.

        2.  Eye-catching colors – While you may enjoy your robin’s egg blue house with canary yellow shutters, buyers may not.  A Butte home for sale needs to be painted in a way that the buyers can see themselves living in it.  If your house is painted in unusually eye-catching colors, you need to repaint in neutral tones.  Stick with neutral colors for interior painting also.

        3.  Peeling/stained shed - If you have a wooden shed on your property, you might need to repaint it or even replace it.  Exposed wood under the paint is a major detractor and an eyesore.  It may not matter to you, but it will matter to the buyer.

        4.  Cracks in the walls - If the interior of your home has little cracks, seal the drywall with spackling and repaint.  Though small, the cracks will be seen as a negative, even if the rest of the house is well cared for.

        5.  Cracked tiles or water spots on the ceiling – Who looks up at the ceiling anymore?  The buyer will and will see that unsightly stain in the corner that you haven’t noticed for years.

        6.  Artistic inspiration – If you’re an artist and you found the need to express yourself on the walls, you might consider repainting.  Ask your real estate agent before hand; some forms of expression may sell better than others.  It might be slightly painful, so it’s okay if you let someone else do it.

        When you have a Butte home for sale you have to be honest with yourself.  Look at the house with fresh eyes and in a buyer’s point of view.  If something stands out, it probably needs to be fixed.

        If you’re thinking of selling your home, I’d be happy to give you suggestions on how to make it sparkle so it will sell faster and for more money.  Call me today at 406-491-5777 or email me for more information.

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        Market Recap

        • Avg. Sales Price: $102,209

        • Avg. Days on Market: 119

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