Double Check Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy!

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Today we are going to talk about something that your homeowner’s insurance policy may not cover that could greatly affect you, especially here in Cedar Valley.

Just last week, we had a situation where we found bat droppings in an attic during an inspection. This has happened about 20-25 times over the past year, even though most of the homeowners have no idea they have bats. 

Brown house bats are becoming an epidemic in our area. The ridge vents that are on our houses to keep ventilation flowing are the perfect housing space for brown house bats. Most insurance policies cover bats, however, not all of them cover the bat droppings.

Bat droppings are considered pollutants on certain policies, and they are an expensive fix. This particular seller had about $5,000 worth of expenses that they had no idea about. 

Double check your homeowner’s policy that it covers things like this, because it can be an expensive fix, up to $20,000 in some cases. You never know what’s happening in the places you don’t see every day, and it's better to be safe than sorry.


If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

We’re Sponsoring a Great Holiday Concert in Cedar Valley with the Brazilian 2wins

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It’s an exciting time to be alive, and an exciting time to be in the Cedar Valley. It’s holiday time, people are cheery, and all the holiday hoopla is starting up.

Today we just wanted to take a moment to tell you about a special event that we are sponsoring this holiday season. The Brazilian 2wins is a great band, and we are hosting a concert series with them this holiday season.

The first show is Friday, December 18 at Independence High School. The shows on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 will be at the Oster Regent Theatre right here in Cedar Valley.

To get more info on the event, head on over to our Facebook page. If you have any other questions for us, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We can’t wait for you to see the shows!

How Should You Handle an Early Offer on Your Home?

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Getting an offer on your home right after listing it is a great problem to have. Should you accept it? Or is it a sign that there are better offers to come?

I've been in the business 22 years, and the old adage that says the first offer is the best is true 99% of the time! I recently had a client who listed their home and received an offer within $9,000 of their list price. They ended up countering the offer for $2,000 and ended up losing the buyer. Nine months later, they sold their home for $60,000 less. You don't want this to happen to you!

The longer your home sits on the market, the less negotiating power you have; if your home has been sitting on the market for a long time, many buyers have seen it and there isn't a sense of urgency about it. When your home has been on the market for only a few days or a few weeks, on the other hand, there is a lot more urgency because buyers aren't sure how long it will be available for.

For more real estate advice and assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

Prepare to List in the Winter in Cedar Valley

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If you list your home in the winter, you need to prepare adequately. Living in a snowy area during the colder months means all landscapes are hidden beneath blankets of snow.

During the holidays, put a wreath on your door. Make it warm. Add lights. Play up your front door. When a prospective buyer pulls into your driveway before touring, they should feel welcome. They should be able to picture themselves in your home. Decorations add pizzazz to attract potential buyers through curb appeal.

When a house is vacant, it needs to feel warm. It shouldn’t feel empty or abandoned, even though no one is currently living inside of it. It needs to feel like a home more than just a house. Keep your heat up and warm the property up, even when you are not there. Additionally, you’ll need to stage your home minimally if it’s vacant.

The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to keep your sidewalk, driveway, and other paths plowed of snow. Walkways should be clear and easily accessible. Plus, do some decorating inside and outside of your home. These strategies pay off when bids start flowing in!

If you have any questions about this topic or more, give us an email or call today. We’d be happy to hear from you.