Make Any Size Your “Super” Size

Whether moving across the street or across the country, when there is a change in the size of a living space, there is a lot to think about with many pro’s and con’s to consider. Finding the right sized space is easier if you consider your lifestyle now and how it might change in this new space. Understanding your reasons, hopes and goals in transitioning to the new sized home is the biggest key to your success. The clearer and better prepared you are to transition to the new sized home, the bigger benefits you will receive in the short term. You can fix your errors over time, but often there are costs associated with that, so getting things “right” in the beginning is worth your time and effort.

Money – value or savings, often top the list for a size change. Often, people downsize thinking that they will save money; some people take equity from their larger home and use that money for other ventures. Upsizing during a buyer’s market can get you a good deal on a larger home. Either way, if money is the focus, remember that as you look at the home. Sometimes the savings is not as big as you think, or you can quickly get in over your head. A smaller home in a more desirable location might cost you more than your large home in a less sought-after area.

Lifestyle – changes in family size, job status, retirement or health top the list for lifestyle changes that prompt size changes. While money may still play a role, if your reasons for changing the size of your home are “lifestyle related” then you will want to keep this focus.

Upsizing

Many housing markets are providing buyers with opportunities to “upsize” – getting more house for the money and great values for the housing dollar. Going up in size when you have been living in a small space can be quite appealing, though surprisingly there are some challenges, too.

Pros

• Finally – you have more storage and space to move!
• Additional bathrooms allow more privacy and easier morning routines
• Additional bedrooms ease strain on family members and encourage guests
• Larger kitchens enable cooks to do their job with ease
• Added space can accommodate a home business or hobbies
• Larger homes also often have added amenities like larger lot size, lawns and landscaping in addition to more space inside the home

Cons

• In a larger home there may be more walking, more stairs, and facilities may or may not be as convenient
• Costs of heating and cooling will be higher
• Maintenance costs are often higher
• Property taxes may be higher
• More and possibly larger rooms may require more furniture or the scale of the furniture that you do have is off – so additional decorating expenses will be incurred
• Attics, basements, garages, sheds and storage areas need to be organized, and sometimes heated, cooled, or dehumidified to prevent items stored there from becoming ruined
• Lawns, landscaping and larger lots require care and maintenance which can be costly and a lot of work

Suggestions:

If you are upsizing at the same time that a family or friend is downsizing, you might walk into a great deal on furniture, tools, lawn-mowers or other must-haves for your new home. Check out Craigslist and local garage sales to score great finds and help you to get to know the new neighborhood. Weigh the cost and benefits of moving furniture long distances. Treasured family heirlooms will likely remain on the moving list while less favored items may not be worthy of moving. And, don’t forget rentals – there are actually places that can rent furniture while you make up your mind about what you want or can afford.

Do some planning for your new space. Magazines and the internet are filled with ideas that may provide inspiration for you, or consider working with an interior designer. Take photos of the new space and measurements of the rooms so you can better understand the opportunities and constraints of your new home. Consider the condition of the walls and floors, windows and lighting as you go. Painting and work on the floors is much easier to achieve if the room is already empty. For improvements, if you can make decisions on color and materials, and schedule workers, completing improvements prior to moving in can save a lot of time and effort.

If you have never owned a home before, it can be a big task to take on a large space. Often your realtor will know of reliable professionals to help accomplish home improvements. Your excitement and enthusiasm will take you far, and remember: you don’t have to do it all at once. Create a prioritized list for the new space, knowing you still have your day-to-day life to live while getting settled in your new home.

Downsizing

Sometimes a desirable location translates to a smaller home, or perhaps you are consciously choosing to reduce your space. Whatever the case, if you are moving from a larger home to a smaller one, chances are “stuff issues” will top your list. Knowing this when you are looking may be useful for you to see how much you can fit into the new space and what you need to part with. For some people, this is an emotional time. Falling in love with the new space can be a key to success. Your realtor can help you to find the right small space for you, only you can find the right space for your stuff.

Pros

• Finally – you are not paying to heat and/or cool rooms that you rarely use!
• It is convenient to have rooms closer together – often there is less walking
• There is less to clean and to organize
• Maintenance chores are often less, with smaller rooms, fewer windows, floors, less roof, etc.
• Perhaps you are seeing a reduction in property tax or mortgage
• Often you have less to take care of in the way of property and landscaping

Cons

• Often you have to make some tough decisions regarding “stuff”
• Your furniture might be “off” in scale, better suited to a larger home
• Fewer bedrooms and/or bathrooms sometimes require planning for family and guests
• Cooking in a smaller kitchen is different, and storage for kitchen tools and food might require thought

Suggestions:

Enlist the help of a professional. Recent trends in lifestyle management have spawned personal and professional coaches, as well as professionals who help with organization and clutter management. These professional organizers make it their business to know the best way to clear your closets, storage areas and generally handle and manage your stuff.

If you feel overwhelmed and can afford their help, they might even save you money in the end by reducing the need to rent storage, saving you from moving unneeded items, and helping you sell some of the more valuable things. And, while they are not interior designers, professional organizers have seen a lot of homes and know the most attractive ideas for using your space. If you are trying to sell a larger home while planning for the move to your smaller space, professional organizers can also aid you and your realtor in staging the home you are selling, gaining you twice the return on their services!

When downsizing, consider the features of the home that you use the most. Will you be doing the same things in the new home, or is there going to be a lifestyle change, too? Ensure that you compare what you are currently doing in each of these areas, and how that will have to change in the new space.

In the kitchen: If you are currently using many different kitchen tools, but moving into a home with a smaller kitchen – will you need to get rid of tools? Or will you find or create storage space in the new kitchen? Perhaps you are moving to a place with great restaurants – but can you afford to eat out a lot? Often you will need to plan for less pantry space, too.

In bathrooms: You will often be faced with towel and linen storage designed for a smaller dwelling, and vanities that are in keeping with smaller spaces. This can translate into crowded medicine cabinets and stuffed drawers, so even everyday things like personal care products become “stuff issues.” Consider buying smaller containers and filling them from larger bottles – your small space doesn’t have to be crowded if you can plan and get creative. Keep only the best of your towels and linens, and that which you really need.

Changing the size of your space may or may not benefit you financially, but the change in lifestyle will not be missed. It is an opportunity to re-evaluate your belongings and your relationship with the space you have and use. Sometimes, it even means looking at the way you do things, and why. Changing the size of your space is essentially an opportunity to get to know yourself all over again, in a very conscious way. Tackling these challenges and viewing them as opportunities will result in a new home that is suited to you and your needs. Bigger or smaller, be sure you make it just like you want it.

Prudential Waterfront Properties is pleased to present the 2012 After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake summer concert series. The first outdoor event will kick-off on Thursday, June 7, 2012 with Project 4 Band performing at Westlake Towne Center, next to Kroger. Gates open at 5 p.m. with live music getting underway at 5:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the United Way of Franklin County.

Dates, bands and times for the After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake concerts series are as follows:

Thursday, June 7
Project 4 Band
5 – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 5
Super Hold
5 – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, August 2
The Catalinas
5 – 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 6
Mark Roberts and Breeze
5 – 8:30 p.m.

“The After 5 Jive is a great local forum to bring the family and meet friends coupled with generating much needed dollars to benefit the United Way of Franklin County,” said Christopher Finley, Director of Marketing and Communications. Admission for Adults is $5. Children 10 and under are admitted free. “Come on out, kick back and enjoy the show!” added Finley.

Valid ID is required for 21 and older. A children’s play area along with food and drink vendors will be on site. Lawn chairs are welcome. Coolers, outside food or drinks, rollerblades, skateboards and pets are prohibited and not allowed. Events are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Bags are subject to be inspected.

After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake is sponsored by Prudential Waterfront Properties, The Willard Companies, Carilion Clinic, Turner’s Building, Inc., Kroger, Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, Verizon Wireless Zone, Western Virginia Water Authority, Telemedia Productions, Smith Mountain Building Supply, Laker Media, WDBJ-7, Budweiser, and Coca-Cola.

Tax season is upon us and for those who purchased or sold a Smith Mountain Lake home last year, there are a number of tax deductions for which you may qualify.

For starters, the Internal Revenue Service says that if you have a gain from the sale of your main home, you may be able to exclude up to $250,000 of the gain from your income as a single tax filer, or $500,000 on a joint return in most cases.

Here are some other factors to keep in mind:

1: Much of the interest paid on a mortgage is tax-deductible. A married couple filing jointly can deduct all of their interest on a maximum of $1 million in mortgage debt secured by a first or second home.

2: Real estate broker commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising costs, administrative costs, and inspection fees are all considered selling costs and may be used to reduce one’s taxable capital gain by the amount of the selling costs.

3: Refinanced mortgage points are deductible, but not all at once. Homeowners who refinance can immediately write off the balance of the old points and begin to amortize the new. Interest paid on a home equity loan or similar line of credit may also be deducted.

4: Points and origination fees on a home loan, which are paid during the purchase of a home, are generally tax-deductible in full for the year that they were paid.

5: Qualifying capital improvements can sometimes be deducted, including costs of a new roof, fence, swimming pool, garage, porch, built-in appliances, insulation, heating/cooling systems or landscaping.

6: If you move because of a new job, you may be able to deduct some of your moving costs. To qualify for these deductions you must meet several IRS requirements, including that your new job must be at least 50 miles farther from your old home than your previous job. Moving-cost deductions can include travel or transportation costs, lodging expenses, and fees for storing your household goods.

7: Property taxes are fully deductible from your income. If you have an impound or escrow account, you can’t deduct the money held for property taxes until the money is actually used to pay your property taxes. And a city or state property tax refund reduces your federal deduction by a like amount.

8: For those who took advantage of the first-time homebuyer credit the past two years: If within 36 months of the date of purchase, the property is no longer used as your principal residence, you are required to repay the credit.

9: Another important tip for those who moved is to make sure you update your address with the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service to ensure you receive refunds or correspondence from the IRS.

Since tax laws change every year and certain tax deductions become available while others phase out, it’s always a good idea to speak with a professional tax consultant about these and other considerations.

The Willard Companies has purchased two properties including the existing pad for a second 48-unit condominium project at Bridgewater Pointe as well as Bridgewater Grande, a 30 acre track featuring 5,900’ +/- water frontage. The properties were purchased for $5.6 million and closed on Friday, March 30.

“We are very excited about being involved in future plans for a second tower at Bridgewater Pointe and the Bridgewater Grande development. These projects will bring economic development to the Smith Mountain Lake region, which has continued to rebound from the recession,” said Ron Willard, President of The Willard Companies. In 2010, The Willard Companies was involved in the marketing of the first tower, featuring 48-units that sold out in 2 ½ hours during a lottery style sale.

Development for the second 48-unit project will mirror the architecture of the exiting condominium tower and plans for Bridgewater Grande will include residential and commercial mix on 30 acres.

Willard started his development and construction company in 1973. “For us, the timing of this investment made excellent business sense. Not only were we able to purchase at attractive pricing, but the location of these properties are within a few miles from our office headquarters and in close proximity to all of our company subsidiaries,” said Willard.

The Willard Companies is the umbrella for Willard Construction of Roanoke Valley, Inc., Prudential Waterfront Properties, The Waterfront, The Water’s Edge and The Westlake Golf and Country Clubs. The company is involved in country clubs, building, developing, marketing and real estate. The Willard Companies is also affiliated with Westlake Towne Center, Westlake Cinema, Westlake Salon & Spa, Window and Door Design Gallery and Smith Mountain Building Supply. Visit online at www.thewillardcompanies.com.

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Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services announced its 2011 Sales Professional award winners at its annual convention in Orlando, Florida. Eight Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS® were recognized for exemplifying great sales measures in closed residential GCI or closed residential units for 2011. A breakdown of the awards winners are as follows:

Chairman’s Circle Platinum

Vicki Millehan / Debbie Shelton

Chairman’s Circle Gold

Jane Sullivan Horne

Leading Edge

Eric and Tom “Team” Fansler

Honor Society Award

Van Daniel

Michelle Turner

Dana Montgomery

“These award winners are ranked among the best of the best in the Prudential Real Estate Network. These REALTORS® are the consummate professionals, who work tirelessly to help their clients’ fulfill their real estate needs,” said Cathie Daniel, Principal Broker.

Your Smith Mountain Lake home represents an investment, as well as being a protective haven for your family and possessions. Have you the foresight to protect it? If you have been through an emergency or disaster, you know the importance of this question. If you have only experienced a disaster through the news, you can only begin to imagine. But like many homeowners, you may be asking how you begin to tackle the task of being prepared for emergencies? Begin by looking at the structure and systems in your home.

Roof, Doors, Windows, Walls, and Vents

Designed to keep water, wind, and other elements out while keeping the heat in and allowing venting for health reasons, you must know the basic state of each element. Roofs that are leaking or have branches overhanging them can lead to extensive repairs down the road. In hurricane-prone areas, roofs should be secured with ties so that the trusses are attached firmly to the walls. In cold climates, heat loss through windows and poorly sealed doors can be significant. Storm season in certain climates can spell disaster if you cannot secure large windows. Materials for covering large windows can be hard to find during an emergency, so those in storm-prone areas should consider installing storm shutters or having sheets of plywood on hand. During power outages, remember that a poorly placed generator near a vent can bring carbon monoxide into your home, which could lead to death. Get to know the structure and condition of your home for your own safety.

Foundation

In areas prone to earthquakes or tornadoes, there are special tie-downs that connect homes to their foundations, ensuring that the framework of your home will not slip from its foundation. It can be easily determined if your home is secured to its foundation with tie-downs, or if it is an item to consider doing. Understand the condition of your basement and/or crawlspaces and any hazards that might be faced there. Excessive moisture around your foundation can lead to mold and mildew growth that impose health issues, so ensure that there is proper drainage around your home.

Water

In the event of an emergency, knowing how to turn off water to your home could be key to preventing substantial damage if your plumbing becomes compromised. Additionally, understanding where your water comes from and the nature of various types of failures of the system will aid you in determining if you need to treat the water during emergency times. Public water systems can be compromised in times of large-scale emergency, so don’t assume your water automatically is safe for drinking and maintain an emergency supply of drinking water. However, if you live in a fire-prone area, you should consider if there enough water to support fire suppression efforts. On the other hand, if you are in a flood zone, do you have a basement that is likely to flood and do you have an escape route to higher ground?

Electric

Are your power lines buried or exposed? If your power lines are exposed, are there large trees nearby that could threaten your power supply in the event of wind or ice storms? If so, you may consider preventative tree trimming. Inside the house, do you know where your breaker box is? Do you know the health of your wiring and how much can be plugged into each outlet? Do you have GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) plugs to protect people from electrical shock? Is the house grounded? If you elect to purchase a generator for use during power outages, is it stored in a secure place and maintained well? Do you know how to operate it and do you have fuel for it? Is it wired into the main panel? Do you know the load it can handle?

Heat and Cooling Systems

How much do you know about the condition of your heating/cooling system(s)? Have you had your furnace and/or air-conditioner maintained recently? What powers your system and what would you do if it were out for an extended period? If your system is powered by natural gas, knowing how to turn off the gas to your home could prevent a potential explosion in the event of a leak.

Sewer/Septic

A topic that many homeowners would like to avoid, it is critical to understand how your sewer and septic might be affected by an emergency. Flooding or long periods without power might require additional tasks to ensure the long-term functioning of your waste water system. If you are without power, often alarms that would otherwise alert people of system overload are not operational so extra monitoring may be required until alarms are functioning properly.

Terrain and Access

Do you live at the top or bottom of a long or steep street and/or driveway that could cause a problem in icy or flood conditions? Is there brush nearby that could fuel a fire and endanger your home or other structures? Consider any trees that could fall. Could that large tree you love so much threaten your house, or trap you in or deny emergency crews access to you? In a large-scale emergency, if you are in a place of difficult access, you may be isolated for a longer period of time. Ensure that you also have an access plan in place. If your home has more than one story, stairs, an elevator, or other factors that can affect your family when getting help plan for the worst. Having emergency rope ladders in upper story bedrooms could save a life.

Communications Systems

While often not directly a part of your home, this system deserves consideration. Summoning help to you in an emergency could be one of your biggest concerns. Your home’s phone and internet may not be available in an emergency, and even cell-phone service may be down. Knowing about your cable or DSL system could help you in getting much-needed information. In power outages, many of these systems need to be reset or rebooted to operate, so ensure you know how to do that. Hand-held radios with batteries are often a useful way of getting basic information. Weather/emergency radios provide up-to-the-minute forecasts and information specific to your area. Additionally, having a communication plan or agreement with a neighbor to check on you in an emergency situation could ensure that someone knows what is happening in isolated areas.

Attics, Basements, Garages and Storage Areas

Knowing what you have where and how it is stored enables you to have what you need, in working order, when you need it. Avoiding these issues could contribute to the emergency. Gasoline that is improperly stored could result in fire or explosion, while in times of need having it on hand could be critical. Ensure that storage areas are well-maintained and free of hazards. Storing essentials poorly or in the wrong place could render them useless. Over-stuffed areas can create access issues, which could prove deadly in emergency situations.

Other Issues

If you live in a heavily wooded area, a low-lying area, an exposed area, a waterfront home or other place where terrain could constitute a specific threat — do you have a plan for the worst? Is extreme weather, fire, tornado, earthquake, flooding, mudslides, storms or other natural disaster something that you have considered? Lack of resources and community support for solving problems might turn your dream home into a real nightmare. Forethought and understanding, however, can make your home a beacon of hope for you and others if you understand the issues and minimize risks.

An Ounce of Prevention

Don’t assume anything, and go over your insurance policy with your agent when you renew annually. Understanding your coverage with regard to disasters like fire, flood, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes or other natural occurrences can mean the difference of thousands of dollars in the event disaster strikes. Often special coverage is required and include limitations — make sure you ask about such things. Having an inventory of your home and possessions, in the form of a written list, photos or videos will aid you in the event that you have to file a claim – but be sure to keep a duplicate copy in a secure place off site.

One of the most dreaded chores around the house is laundry. Maybe that’s why when selling a house, the laundry room is one of the most forgotten areas to get in shape. The machines are often dusty, with detergent dripping down the sides and lint and old socks on the floor.

Yet it’s an area that doesn’t take too much time to clean and can really make a difference when showing your house to prospective buyers.

The easiest way to make a statement with a laundry room is by adding more energy-efficient washing machines and dryers. Recent statistics by the U.S. Department of Energy show that installing machines with the ENERGY STAR label will decrease water costs by up to 50 percent. There are also machines that automatically adjust the water temperature and the amount of water used for each load to prevent excess and waste.

Many new models are available with designer colors, pedestals and sleek designs, which can make a bold statement. When purchasing a new washer, you’re also going to need to choose between a front- or top-loading machine. While a top-loading machine requires enough water to cover all the clothes in its drum, a front-loading washer needs only a third of that amount because its drum is set horizontally in the machine. It requires less water and allows for larger loads, and it looks great.

On the downside, a front-loading washer is more expensive and can develop mold because it doesn’t empty dirty water as efficiently as a top-loading machine.

When it comes to dryers, new sensor technology is the rage. Dryers with moisture sensors recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than traditional machines and shut down sooner. This saves energy, cash and wear and tear on your clothing.

The use of steam washers and dryers for greater energy and water efficiency is also a growing trend. Steam machines offer enhanced clothing-care options such as short, steam-only cycles that help to reduce wrinkles and remove odors from clothing without using water and detergent.

Laundry rooms used to be relegated to the basement, but today, people are finding space for washers and dryers in more convenient areas of the house like the kitchen or upstairs, near bedrooms. Housing experts agree that installing a laundry nook will raise the value of a home, and make it more convenient as hauling baskets of clothing up and down flights of stairs become a thing of the past.

Prudential Real Estate, a Brookfield Residential Property Services company, today released a new national survey showing that Americans are significantly more optimistic about homeownership than they were a year ago. According to the second-annual Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey, a full 60 percent of Americans have favorable views toward the real estate market. That’s up 8 points since last year.

The survey shows that signs of increasing optimism are widespread:

• With interest rates at historically low levels, 96 percent agree or somewhat agree that now is a good time to buy.
• A full 70 percent of respondents have some degree of confidence that property values will improve over the next two years; with an 8 point increase in those very confident or confident compared to last year.
• 63 percent believe that real estate is a good investment despite the recent market volatility; that’s up 11 points from last year.

The survey confirms that despite the recession, homeownership remains a central part of the American Dream. Eight in 10 respondents said homeownership is very important to them; only 15 percent said the economic downturn made homeownership less important.

“Respondents told us what our sales professionals see every day that, despite recent market volatility, homeownership remains integral to the dreams of most Americans and that consumers’ confidence in the housing market is returning,” said Earl Lee, president, Prudential Real Estate. “This is good news for home buyers and sellers, communities and our economy as a whole. As more people look to take advantage of historic interest rates and prices, we believe the foundation for a sustainable recovery is in sight.”

The survey also highlighted strong ties between homeownership and the community: 77 percent agree that homeownership strengthens a sense of community with 87 percent agreeing or somewhat agreeing that neighborhood comprised of homeowners have a stronger sense of community than neighborhoods made up mainly of renters. This is critical in an environment where two in three respondents believe community feelings in America are declining.

Among the generations, 94 percent of respondents believe that finding the right home and community are crucial to helping their family be happy.   Only a small minority of older Americans said the recent housing crisis made homeownership less important to them. Nearly half Gen Y respondents said it made homeownship more important. Gen Y’ers are particularly optimistic about the road ahead with 72%  expressing favorable views about the residential real estate market.

“Characteristically, many of these consumers, particularly Gen Y, share a firm sense of family and community,” Lee said. “It’s not surprising now that they’re embracing homeownership to build on that sense.”

The survey also highlighted consumer caution in a recovering real estate market: 93 percent of respondents said that the housing crisis reminds them that they must be more careful about buying and selling property. More than 90 percent of respondents said a good real estate sales professional can help them make the right choices about homes and communities; and 71 percent believe good agent representation is more important than ever, up 4% from last year’s survey.

Methodology: Interviews with 1,251 Americans who are “in the market” to buy or sell a home were conducted online by Palisades Media Ventures and Penn Schoen Berland, between Feb. 10 and 20, 2012. Respondents are aged 25-64 with a household income of at least $50,000, and either recently bought/sold a home or are considering buying/selling a home. The margin of error is ± 2.8% for all respondents and higher for subgroups.

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Prudential Real Estate is a Brookfield Residential Property Services real estate brokerage franchise company. Prudential Real Estate franchises are independently owned and operated. Companies are selected based upon outstanding performance records and high levels of customer service.

Prudential Real Estate provides franchises with business strategies using Operation Reviews as well as numerous benefits, including access to Prudential Real Estate’s Online Seller Advantage^® program, designed to provide real-time information to sellers with the touch of a keystroke, and Online Buyer Advantage®, which enables consumers to easily search for property in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Prudential Real Estate is one of the largest real estate brokerage franchise networks in North America, with more than 1,500 franchise offices and 50,000 sales professionals as of December 31, 2011.

Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities and are used under license, with no other affiliation with Prudential.

If you’re selling your Smith Mountain Lake home, you have enough to think about without worrying that your home isn’t safe, or that your things may be stolen.

Yet, whether from open houses or scheduled showings, strangers are coming and going in your house all the time. By taking a few safeguards, you can ensure that you don’t need to worry about such things and better protect your belongings in the long run.

Of course, the easiest solution is to remove valuable jewelry, fine art or collectables beforehand, storing them with a friend or family member. If that’s not an option, then find a place to hide valuables in the home or keep them with you in a suitcase and take the suitcase with you in the car every time you leave yourself.

This should also be done for personal information and file cabinets that may contain papers with your account numbers and/or social security information. And don’t forget the medicine cabinets, as this is often an area that people steal from.

You should always keep your doors and windows locked and when returning to the home following a showing, double-check that they remain secure. Often, prospective buyers will open windows or doors to make sure they work or to see another part of the home. Although it may seem far-fetched, there have been incidents where people unlock doors when looking at a home and go back later to steal things.

One tactic involves people coming to the house multiple times and bringing a new person with them, who explores rooms when the agent is being distracted.

“While one person has your attention, the other raids jewelry boxes and medicine cabinets for narcotics,” said Robert Siciliano, an ADT.com security consultant who offers real estate advice on his blog. “In high crime areas, consider hiring an off-duty police officer to watch the property during a showing. You can’t possibly watch everyone during an open house.”

It may seem like a silly time to install an alarm system since you will be moving soon, but adding a security system will not only deter burglars but can also be a strong selling point of the house. People like safety features in the home.

If you are selling a Smith Mountain Lake home in which you’re not currently living, consider installing motion sensors that will automatically turn on lights when it’s dark. You can also put a few lamps on a timer so it appears someone is home when you’re out.

Reach out to your neighbors as well and ask them to keep an eye on your place. It’s always a good idea to introduce neighbors to your Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTOR^® so they know things are OK when the agent is on the premises.

By taking a few extra precautions, you can feel safe and secure during a home sale.