Rob Gow - Real Estate and Shoreline Lifestyle: Shoreline Property Advisors

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

5 Reasons to Consider Buying a Harbor Country Home this Holiday Season!

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, the last thing on your mind might be buying a home in one of Harbor Country’s charming towns. Yet, did you know that now can be a great time to buy a home in Sawyer, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Grand Beach, Michiana, or Three Oaks?

Here on the team of Shoreline Property Advisors, our Prudential Rubloff Real Estate agents and advisors understand that choosing your ideal home in Harbor Country and going through the home buying process can seem overwhelming at first. But, with an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent by your side, buying a home this holiday season can be a successful endeavor! Here are a few reasons you’ll want to consider buying a Harbor Country home this holiday season!

1. Lower Pricing- With the lack of people searching during the holidays for a home in Harbor Country; prices soften a bit. You can view our website, www.ShorelineAdvice.com, to see a list of our current Harbor Country homes for sale. You’ll notice these homes are priced to sell and are a great deal for buyers.

2. Less Competition- Many buyers don’t think to take advantage of house hunting during the holidays, so you’re sure to avoid any bidding wars that would occur at a peak point on the Harbor Country Real Estate market. This will mean a less stressful home buying experience for you!

3. Motivated Sellers- Sellers dread not being able to sell their homes before the holidays get under way. They’re very aware that most are not in the market to buy a home until Spring rolls around, which means; they’re motivated. They know showings of their home will greatly decrease, so any activity on their home is good news. Oftentimes they’re willing to come down on the price or be flexible with closing dates, and other extras.

4. Favorable Mortgage Terms- Mortgage lenders may be willing to lower interest rates or let go of some of their fees in order to gain your business. With fewer people shopping for homes; they will be experiencing a slower time in their business as well. Be sure to shop around to get the best possible deal. Your Harbor Country Real Estate agent will help point you in the right direction.

5. Tax Deduction- Closing before the end of the year can mean you are eligible to deduct the interest component of your first monthly mortgage payment from your taxable income for this year. You may also be able to deduct any money you pay for points to reduce your interest rate. Of course you’ll want to consult with a Harbor Country tax advisor to talk over the full details.

What better way to celebrate the season than owning a home in Harbor Country?! These Lake Michigan shoreline towns are ideal for vacations or settling in to permanently!

If you’d like to learn more about the Harbor Country Real Estate market or have questions about buying a home in Harbor Country; please contact us today!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Don't Miss This New Buffalo Event This Weekend!

Thanksgiving’s tomorrow and we’re sure many of you are already beginning to celebrate this start of the holiday season! Chances are, you’re hosting loved ones in your Harbor Country home and may be thinking of ways you can get out in the community and enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays.

Here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we take great pride in working as Harbor Country Real Estate agents because we know that any of the Harbor Country towns are fantastic places to live or vacation. We always enjoy telling buyers what makes these towns so unique and the lifestyle that’s offered.

If you’re going to be in town this weekend, you’ll want to take part in this great New Buffalo event!

Miracle on Whittaker Street
Downtown New Buffalo

Saturday, November 30th from 9am to 6pm

- Don’t miss out on kicking off the Christmas season this Saturday in Downtown New Buffalo! This day will be filled with a variety of activities, festive holiday treats, a parade, caroling, tree lighting and much more!

Begin the morning at Michigan Thyme Cafe for a Breakfast with Santa from 9am to noon! (Please call 269-460-6604 for reservations.) At 11am, all the shops will be open so you can begin your holiday shopping and support local businesses at the same time. Many of the merchants will have free hot chocolate and treats for you to enjoy as you shop!

Throughout the day, the Boy Scouts will be hosting their holiday wreath sale on the corner of Whittaker and Highway 12, so you’ll want to be sure to stop by to contribute to this local organization. At 4pm, Santa and his Reingdog Parade will march down Whittaker street and is a sight you’ll want to see! Immediately following the parade, children can tell Santa their Christmas wish list at the NBBA Information booth on the corner of N. Whittaker and Merchant Streets! But the fun doesn’t stop there!

You can find hot cider and cookies at the New Buffalo Yacht Club at 5pm which will warm you up and keep you going for the Tree Lighting and Caroling at 6pm on the corner of N. Whittaker and Mechanic Streets. You’ll be sure to enjoy this day filled with holiday festivities! To learn more, visit the New Buffalo website.

We hope you have a great holiday with family and friends! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about living in Harbor Country; we’re always here to help!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

7 Tips to Help Your Harbor Country Home Sell This Holiday Season!

With Thanksgiving next week, it’s hard to think about anything else but the upcoming holiday season. The festive decorations and lights that are beginning to be put up throughout Harbor Country are enough to make us all want to skip right to the festivities with family and friends.

However, as Harbor Country Real Estate agents here at Shoreline Property Advisors, we know that there are those of you who are in the midst of selling your Harbor Country home. While it may seem like one of the worst times to sell your home in Three Oaks, Sawyer, New Buffalo, Union Pier, Lakeside, Harbert, Grand Beach or Michiana; the season can actually enhance how buyers view your home!

While your home is decorated for the season and full of warmth, buyers can envision themselves spending their own holidays in the home. Here are a few simple tips for making the most of selling this time of year and to help your Harbor Country home sell this holiday season!

1. Go Light on the Lights- An abundance of outdoor lights can leave Harbor Country buyers wondering what the front of your home looks like. And, while you may love your giant inflatable lawn ornaments; it may be best to leave those in storage this year. Everyone has different tastes and you don’t want buyers to be met at your home with a sense of “tacky.”

2. Add Holiday Adornments- Again, you don’t want to go overboard, but a simple evergreen wreath, a poinsettia center piece or hot cider simmering on the stove can create a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Of course it’s best to avoid overly religious flourishes as this can be off-putting to some.

3. Give Warmth- Just before a showing, be sure to turn up your thermostat a few degrees to make it extra toasty inside. Put a fire in the fireplace to add an extra sense of warmth and highlight the cozy atmosphere that this feature of your home can bring.

4. Mind the Tree- While a tall Christmas tree can showcase a two story living room, be sure to be careful of the tree’s width. The last thing you want is to have your Harbor Country home appear smaller than it really is. Also, you’ll want to stick with a cohesive theme for your ornaments. The family homemade ornaments may be meaningful to you, but can quickly make your tree look gaudy to outsiders. Keep it simple this year and remember, there’s always next year when you can display those keepsakes in your new home!

5. Complement Your Décor- You’ll want to make sure that your Christmas decoration palette matches or complements your current décor. If the colors clash or seem to be fighting for attention, this can be very distracting to buyers and can take away from the great features of your home you’re trying to highlight.

6. Highlight the Highlights- Draw attention to a beautiful fireplace mantle with a few tasteful ornaments or enhance an arched doorway with hanging mistletoe.

7. Offer Tasty Treats- While you don’t want to come across as trying to bribe buyers, everyone loves holiday treats and having a plate full of cookies and candy can make the home showing a little sweeter. Hot chocolate and apple cider are always welcome and buyers will feel that you have their best interest in mind.

Following these tips and working with an experienced Harbor Country Real Estate agent can be the key to helping your home sell this holiday season!

If you’d like to learn more about our customized home selling plan or are ready to get started; feel free to contact us today!

Shoreline Property Advisors

@ Prudential Rubloff