4 Reasons You Need an Estate Plan for Your Home

Great piece out of Realtor.com

By: Richard Koreto

An estate plan will help ensure your home becomes a legacy for your children—not a source of friction or a financial burden.

A detailed estate plan means your heirs won’t face any financial surprises. Image: Siri Stafford/Photodisc/Getty Images

The time to solve estate planning problems is before they happen. Otherwise, what you think is a loving act—leaving your home to your heirs—can turn into a financial and familial disaster.

Estate planning is complicated, and you’ll need help from qualified pros, but here are four reasons why you should start thinking about an estate plan now.

1. A good estate plan can keep your heirs from fighting

Say you intend to leave your house jointly to a son and daughter. But what if, as often happens, one child wants to live in the house and the other wants to sell it? A reasonable estate plan would not force one child to indefinitely forgo his or her share of the value of the house.

Possible solutions:

• If you have other assets, it may make more sense to divide your estate, leaving the house to the child who wants it, and property of equivalent value to the other.

• If the house makes up the bulk of the estate, an insurance professional can talk to you about a policy that would provide enough money for one sibling to buy out the other’s share.

• In either event, talk with your heirs up front so you can structure your estate plan to head off potential problems.

2. A good estate plan means no financial surprises

Consider these two scenarios:

• You’ve sold the family home and bought a retirement condo, with a mortgage. Your heirs will eventually inherit both the condo and the loan as part of the estate. But they can’t assume the mortgage unless they’re planning to live in the condo. They’ll have to pay it off. That can be a nasty shock, explains A. Raymond Benton, a certified financial planner in Denver.

• It’s very possible that in later years you’ll want a reverse mortgage to help pay for nursing care, for example, while you stay in your home. Upon inheriting the house, your heirs will have to come up with the money for the outstanding loan. Otherwise they’ll likely have to sell the house to pay back the lender. The bank will not allow your heirs to just assume a reverse mortgage.

Explain your situation to your heirs in advance as part of your estate plan, so they can be financially and emotionally prepared to accept an encumbered house as part of the estate.

3. A good estate plan means less of an estate tax hit

When it comes to estate planning, the biggest issue to consider is taxation. It’s a particularly thorny problem right now because the federal estate tax is in flux. If you die in 2010, there’s no estate tax, but it will almost certainly come back in 2011.

While that sounds like a good thing for 2010, there’s a catch: There’s only a limited “step up” for home value in 2010, according to Robert Demmett and Gerald Marsden, CPAs at Eisner & Lubin LLP in New York. When there is no step-up, your heirs could end up paying capital gains taxes on the difference between what you bought the house for 30 or more years ago and what they get for it when they sell. With a full step up, they would only have to pay tax on the difference between what the house was worth at your death and the sale price.

There are strategies for dealing with this, now and in the future. An estate planning attorney can set up a trust to help manage step-up issues.

4. A good estate plan can keep you from losing your house if you get sick

Of course, you may be thinking, “This is all academic. I’ll have to sell my home to pay for eldercare.” However, with a combination of long-term-care policies and trust-based solutions, you may be able to take care of yourself and leave your home to your heirs. Consult a lawyer experienced with estate planning or a qualified financial planner.

Richard J. Koreto is HouseLogic’s managing editor of finance, taxes, and insurance. He has been editor of several professional financial magazines and is the author of “Run It Like a Business,” a practice management book for financial planners. He and his wife own a pre-Civil War house in Rockland County, N.Y.



My First Place: Lessons Learned

One of our favorite shows on HGTV and some great tips for the first time home buyer!

Seven My First Place homebuyers admit their biggest rookie blunders and reveal recession-proof lessons to guarantee home buying success

If you want to live in a sought-after urban neighborhood, you might have to be willing to sacrifice space.

Lesson #1: Decide location versus space before searching for a home
When first-time homebuyer Jarrod was shopping for his first place in Chicago, he faced a tough decision: Should he buy a small home in Lincoln Park, his favorite area of the city, or should he buy a larger home for a lower price in Uptown, about two miles north of Lincoln Park? Jarrod wanted to spend some time weighing his options, but then another buyer made an offer on the Uptown home he was considering. He needed to make a quick decision or face losing the home, so he decided to put in an offer. The sellers accepted, and Jarrod got the home. But almost a year later, he’s still not 100 percent sure he made the right choice. While he loves having plenty of space to entertain in his Uptown home, he misses Lincoln Park’s proximity to restaurants and nightlife. Before shopping for a home, it’s important to set your priorities and decide which is more important to you: space or location. If you settle on this in advance, you can make thought-out decisions during the home-buying process and avoid the unsettling feeling of buyer’s remorse.
Learn More: How to Choose a Neighborhood >>Lesson #2: Don’t commit before you’re ready
Owning a home is a huge commitment — and a more expensive one than some homebuyers realize. Jarrod’s monthly housing expenses, for instance, have gone from about $1,300 a month as a renter to $2,200 a month as a homeowner. Before buying a home, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into so you can decide if you’re financially and personally ready for such a large commitment. In addition to your monthly mortgage payment, figure out how much you’ll be paying for property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, HOA fees and other monthly costs of owning a home.
Learn More: Owning a Home: The Monthly Tally >>

NEXT: Lessons 3-7 >>

If you’re willing to make the time and effort, taking on home improvement projects yourself can save you money.

Lesson #3: Sweat equity can save thousands
First-time homebuyers John and Jennifer always knew they wanted to add value to the first home they owned. So when they bought their first place in Roswell, Ga., they immediately started remodeling, and they decided to tackle many of their home improvement projects themselves. The couple spent $20,000 remodeling their kitchen, building a new deck and installing a new patio — upgrades that would have cost $50,000 by their estimation if they had hired a contractor to do the job. If you have the skills, the time and the patience to live with dust and debris for a while, do-it-yourself home improvement projects can save you a big chunk of cash.
Learn More: 10 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home >>Lesson #4: A down payment is never a bad investment
John and Jennifer originally planned to put around $60,000 down on their first home. However, they changed their minds just before closing when they qualified for a loan that didn’t require any money down. The homebuyers opted for 100 percent financing and invested their down payment money in the stock market. After losing about half of that money, they regret not putting it into their home instead. Putting some money down is a good idea for any homebuyer because it minimizes your risk and lets you start off with some equity.
Learn More: 5 Ways to Afford a Down Payment >>

Lesson #5: The school district will affect home value
Even if you don’t have kids, it pays to check out a neighborhood’s school district before buying a home, as living in an area with a sought-after school system raises your property value. John and Jennifer’s home, for instance, is in one of the best school districts in Georgia, and their neighborhood typically does well in resale.
Learn More: How to Choose a Neighborhood >>

Lesson #6: A land survey will answer boundary questions
Before making changes to your property, it’s a good idea to find out your exact property lines. A month after they moved into their home, John and Jennifer had their land surveyed and discovered that their yard ended 8 to 10 feet closer to their home than the previous owner told them, leaving them confused as to where to build their fence. You can’t always rely on the seller’s knowledge of the property, so getting a land survey will clear up any uncertainties you have.

Lesson #7: Check building plans for the neighborhood
Shortly after John and Jennifer moved into their home, they learned that a large playground was going to be built in the community — right next door to them. Since the homeowners have no children, they get to hear the squeaky sound of swings all day, but they don’t benefit from having a playground so close by. Plus, having a playground practically in the backyard is hit or miss when it comes to resale — buyers with kids may see it as a selling point, while others may not. Before buying a home, find out if there are any building plans near your home to avoid surprises after you’ve moved in.

<< Lessons 1-2 I Lessons 8-10 >>

Staying under budget when buying a home gives you extra cash to add the upgrades and decor you’ve always wanted.

Lesson #8: Reserve some cash for home improvements
Before Brooke even bought her first place in Decatur, Ga., she was already planning home improvements. To make her plans a reality, she stayed below her budget when buying a home, giving her extra cash for upgrades. With the money she saved, Brooke was able to expand her deck, build a privacy fence and add a shed. Staying a bit under budget can give you the freedom to make improvements, letting you enjoy your home even more.
Learn More: Top 10 Home Updates >>Lesson #9: Dig deeper during inspection
Brooke’s home inspection revealed several nail pops in the shingles on her roof. After having them fixed, she thought she was in the clear because the roof was advertised as new. However, about two years later the nails popped up again and caused a leak. A roofer determined that there were two layers of shingles on Brooke’s roof: a new layer on top of an old one. Brooke felt misled and looked into legal action, but discovered that having multiple layers of shingles is legit in Georgia. If a problem pops up during your inspection, it’s always a good idea to take a closer look. If Brooke had checked out the roof herself, she would have seen the two layers of shingles and known that something was amiss.
Learn More: Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers >>

Lesson #10: Continue negotiating after the inspection
If a flaw is discovered during your home inspection, use it to your advantage. If Brooke had known more about the roof issue before she closed on the home, she might have been able to use it during negotiations to get a price reduction. Even after inspections, you still have another chance to get a great deal.
Learn More: Negotiate Like a Pro >>

<< Lessons 3-7 I Lessons 11-13 >>

Falling home prices have made some homeowners wish they had waited longer and paid less when buying their first place.

Lesson #11: Real estate is not a recession-proof investment
In the past few years, housing prices have taken a hit across the country. Adam and Becky, first-time homebuyers from Phoenix, Ariz., learned this first-hand. Since they bought their home a little over a year ago, homes in their neighborhood are now selling for half of what they paid, leaving them disappointed that they didn’t wait a little longer to buy their first place. However, no one can predict exactly where the housing market is going. It’s important for homebuyers to realize that if you’re emotionally and financially ready to be a homeowner, it’s always the right time to buy.
Learn More: Stop Procrastinating, Buy Now! >>Lesson #12: Examine both financial and personal costs of buying
Buying a home can require you to make tough personal sacrifices. After adding up the cost of their mortgage payment, HOA fees and other monthly expenses, Becky realized she would need to quit school and get a job so she and Adam could afford their house. While Becky is happy with her decision, if they had saved more money she would have been able to stay in school. Before buying a home, think about what kind of personal and financial sacrifices you’ll have to make. If affording a home is a stretch right now, it might be better to wait awhile and save up more money.
Learn More: Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home >>

Lesson #13: Read HOA documents before closing
Reading a big stack of papers may seem like a huge hassle, but carefully reviewing your HOA documents is important if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises down the road. Eight months after they moved into their home, Adam and Becky learned that their HOA dues were increasing by 5 percent. If they had read their HOA documents, they would have known sooner and been able to prepare. Before buying a home in a community with an HOA, read through the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws and budget and look for anything that could affect you in the future. Also, talk to residents in the neighborhood and get opinions on how well the HOA does its job.
Learn More: What You Need to Know About HOAs >>

<< Lessons 8-10 I Lessons 14-16 >>

Before house hunting, get pre-approved for a loan so you can make an offer with confidence as soon as you find the perfect home.

Lesson #14: Secure financing before falling in love with a house
Clarence Hawkins and his girlfriend Angie were very excited to purchase their first home. So excited, in fact, that they made the mistake of house hunting before locking down a mortgage, thinking it would take awhile to find the “perfect house.” They fell in love with a house in their agreed-upon price range, but were left without solid financing when signing the contract. In the end, securing a loan took longer than expected, and Clarence and Angie lost the house they had such high hopes for. By taking the time to get financing in order before you start house hunting, the whole process can run smoother and you won’t be living in fear of losing a house you love.
Learn More: Understanding the Pre-Approval Process >>Lesson #15: Don’t spend every dollar you qualify for
Clarence and Angie were willing to come down in their price range, and as a result were able to open up their options to a larger chunk of the market. With financing already secured, they found another great house with ease and were able to spend more on decorating and upgrades. Coming down in price also allowed Clarence and Angie to save more each month and lock in a better interest rate. By not spending every bit you qualify for, you can open yourself up to more options and better possibilities.
Learn More: Figure Out Your Financial Strategy >>

Lesson #16: Find smart money
Clarence and Angie found their “smart money” by getting a loan through a non-profit organization that had agreements with several lenders to give first-time homebuyers affordable loans. These kinds of opportunities are out there; you just have to look for them. Remember, you still have to be underwritten by the lenders, so be prepared to show your credit history and attend classes and workshops the non-profit group organizes.
Learn More: Federal and State Home-Buying Programs >>

<< Lessons 11-13 I Lessons 17-20 >>

During a home inspection, don’t overlook the details. Examine woodwork and tiling to make sure both the craftsmanship and materials are high-quality.

Lesson #17: Make sure renovations were professionally done
As first-time homeowners Scot and Leeah found out, paying close attention to the aesthetic details of a home is just as important as the structural details when going through an inspection. Oftentimes, do-it-yourself remodelers looking for a quick fix use low-quality materials that turn into a problem for future homeowners. They key is to make sure any renovations were done by a professional contractor using quality materials that are meant to last. Inspecting details up front is very important so you don’t find yourself shelling out even more cash later on.
Learn More: Home Inspection 101 >>Lesson #18: A creative bid strategy helps ensure a good deal
Scot and Leeah used a unique approach to get a great deal on their Denver, Colo., home. By first making an offer of $300,000 on the home, then adding a contingency that they would pay $1,000 over any other competing offers up to a maximum price point of $329,000, the couple could guarantee they got the house with minimal dollars spent over the highest competing offer. Although unconventional, a creative strategy like this can be very effective in today’s market, especially when there are competing bids for the property.

Lesson #19: Don’t overlook the landscaping
Scot and Leeah learned first-hand that overlooking the details can end up costing a lot more than you might realize. Updates to the exterior of a home can add up just as quickly as the interior. If you aren’t looking to spend much more on the details once you have found a home, look for a property that already has the amenities and the landscaping that you desire.

Lesson #20: A higher price point might save money over time
After making interior and exterior renovations, many homeowners find that their budget has been stretched way beyond what they initially wanted to pay for a home. Scot and Leeah found this to be very true when looking back at all the renovations they had taken on to make their house a home. For this reason, it can be smart to adjust your price point a little to help you save money over time. By paying a little more upfront for a home that has all of the upgrades and extras you want, you won’t have to worry about paying for them down the road.
Learn More: Figure Out Your Financial Strategy >>

<< Lessons 14-16 I Lessons 21-22 >>

A smart bidding strategy can mean the difference between an offer that’s ignored and an offer that’s accepted.

Lesson #21: Low-balling doesn’t always pay off
Justin and Sarah bought their first place in Scottsdale, Ariz., but before they finally closed the deal, they had to endure the discouraging feeling of being outbid or rejected multiple times. From the beginning, Justin and Sarah were adamant about not spending more than $240,000. Unfortunately, by looking for homes at the top of their price range but making lowball offers — plus asking sellers to contribute to their down payment and closing costs — their offers looked weak and were rejected, outbid or ignored every time. If you find yourself incurring multiple losing bids, a change in strategy is in order. By giving a little bit, you can get a lot in return.
Learn More: When to Make a Lowball Offer >>Lesson #22: Change a bid strategy that’s failing
Tweaking your bidding strategy can make the possibility of getting the house you want much more realistic. Justin and Sarah learned that you have to be smarter, faster and closer to the original asking price in order to put in a competitive bid. The offer should be strong enough to at least hit the seller’s base price. The key to remember is if you would like the sellers to do something for you, such as contributing to closing costs or the down payment, then you need to get as close to their asking price as possible.

Featured Property of the Week offered by our Boulder agent Chris Sweeney:

2363 Keystone Ct, Boulder, CO 80304

Beautiful home in quiet, peaceful, Parkside only 100 yards to the park thru the back gate! This home boasts an extensive remodel with whole house insulation, new exterior stucco, all new windows and doors. Both bathrooms have also been remodeled and new ss apps in the kitchen! Newer furnace and hot water heater! Private hot tub and extra storage in the garage! Wood floors to be installed in the kitchen and dining room or a credit w full price offer. $5k credit for granite and cabinet upgrades.

What buyers and sellers say about our Pedal to Properties Sonoma office

We thought we share some of the fabulous feedback our newest office has gotten!

“Jeanne and Nella are perfect for Pedal to Properties. We know this is something they’ve thought about doing for a while. We’re just glad they chose to introduce our model in California, in particular in wine country where bikes are common.”
Tim Majors, President, U.S. Operations
Pedal to Properties

“For people who want to drive less, it just makes sense that they’d be looking for different things in a neighborhood. My realtor was able to see things about places we were looking at that I don’t think a normal agent would have noticed.”
Emily Gardener, Home Buyer

“Bike friendliness was our number one criterion, and this was a great way to find a realtor who understood where we were coming from. It’s also a totally fun way to spend a Sunday.”
Jessica Engeman, Home Buyer

“We had an instant connection our Pedal to Properties realtor. We didn’t know about the Pedal to Properties service. We went out to the car and noticed nice bikes on a nice rack, everything spic and span, much attention to details. We pulled up to a house, and the agent asked if we’d like to ride the bikes around the neighborhood. So we went house hunting with the definitely cool bikes. Riding on the bikes makes it an easier, more friendly process with the realtor. The different feeling you get about a neighborhood by being in it, seeing it – you get a more intimate perspective of your surroundings. After the contract for the house was signed, I took my own bike to the neighborhood, and I knew we made the right decision. I could see the neighborhood park, and families there.”
Bill Cluzel, Home Buyer

“Bill and I are active people. When I travel I love to run or rent a bike and explore the area. I thought, ‘Wow, this is a great idea.’ If you’re going to be living there, you get an idea of a neighborhood – what the yards look like – and feel the vibes. And the bikes are really cute.”
Kelley Cluzel, Home Buyer

“It was my realtor’s willingness to go by bike that attracted me. I lived 15 miles outside of town and I wanted to move closer to town, primarily so I could bike to work. I thought pedaling from house to house would be a great way to judge how bike-friendly each home was. One Sunday, my husband and I spent about three hours with our realtor, seeing seven houses. We eventually chose a house less than two miles from my job and commutable entirely by bike paths.”
Kelly Stroker, Home Buyer

Featured property of the week offered by Sonoma Pedal to Properties agent: Jeanne Wailes

901 DONNER AVE, SONOMA, CA 95476

Delightful home near all three eastside schools. Large master bedroom with beautiful marble bathroom. Office/den and open family room/kitchen with fireplace. Needs some work. Short sale.

Featured property of the week offered by our Boulder Pedal to Properties: Leyla Steele

2765 14th St, Boulder, CO 80304 Lock and Leave!! Location, location!!

Style, Space & Views. Newly constructed in 2006, impeccably built 1/2 duplex virtually maintenance-free. High-end finishes & convenience of a downtown condo PLUS a peaceful location & 2 decks, 2 patios, fenced-in grass yard & 2 off-street parking. Open flr plan, gourmet kitch, 3 light-filled bdrms & 3 ba, 2300 above grd sq ft Low HOA fees,Currently leased for 1st time, at $3K/mo until July 2011, tenants possibly negotiable.

A great piece on remodeling and how to go green.

Deconstructing home renovation – Go Green
Homeowners save on cost, waste using recycled materials

By Tom Kelly, Inman News

A few years ago, some friends of ours purchased an older home from a widow who no longer could maintain the house and the more than two dozen fruit trees that rested on its sunny, western-facing lot.

While the couple’s residence was far nicer and newer than the widow’s 1960s rambler, they loved the garden and orchard. They also dreamed of building a home from scratch, exactly how they wanted it, with the latest in energy-efficient building materials and appliances.

In September 2008, when the economy took its infamous nosedive, the couple began to wonder if they ever would be able to afford a significant remodel, let alone design and build a new home on the site.

The assets they had set aside for the project had dwindled considerably, as had the value of the older home they had recently purchased. Given the costs to sell the property, they wondered if they could ever recover the original purchase price.

“By the time the deconstruction was over, I estimated we saved more than one-third the cost of a typical demolition.”

“What I underestimated was how willing the subcontractors had become to adjust their bids,” one of the owners said. “They wanted to keep their crews working and were willing to reduce their price to make that happen. We also saw some of the costs of our materials come down. When we added them together, the savings were close to the amount that we had lost in the stock market.”

Since the decision to proceed, two other pleasant surprises occurred. Some of their remaining assets rebounded in value, thereby restoring a portion of the next egg, and the couple found an alternative to conventional demolition that saved both money and materials.

They hired a regional demolition company that removed and reused their metal roof, heat pump, doors, sinks, windows and other salvageable material in return for a credit against labor costs. The company put the used items on shelves in its Seattle and Bellingham, Wash., retail stores and recycled much of the typical waste products, saving the couple additional disposal fees.

“By the time the deconstruction was over, I estimated we saved more than one-third the cost of a typical demolition,” the owner said. “What was also important to us is that all that wood and metal did not end up in a landfill.”

Like many regional companies specializing in recycling home products, the demolition company was founded by a nonprofit organization to address the growing problem of wasteful disposal of usable building materials, most of which were buried in the local landfill.

The company, and other organizations and companies like it, provide an alternative to dumping the materials that come from an estimated 200,000 building demolitions each year in the U.S.

Noel Stout, RE Store deconstruction manager, said the amount that homeowners can save is dictated by the quality of materials in the home.

“When it comes to costs, we are very competitive with the other demolition companies. A 2,000-square-foot house is probably going to cost the owner between $8,000 and $15,000. In addition, they will be keeping about 85 percent of the house from going in a landfill.”

The company also strives to create jobs and opportunities for reuse, education and innovation at every step of the process. It reviews its recently collected inventory and stocks quality building and home improvement materials at prices that are up to 50 percent less than the cost of new items.

Some of the stocking work is done by interns from the Working to Achieve Growth in Employment Skills (WAGES) program, administered by the Young Adult Services department of the YMCA.

“It’s a win-win situation for the interns and the RE Store,” said Pat Finn Coven, the company’s operations manager. “They get training and experience while helping us to increase the materials we can divert from landfills.”

The retail stores have been a boon for contractors and remodelers seeking older fixtures and for owners on a budget. For example, Gabriel Gonzalez, a former RE Store employee with a passion for green design and reuse, completely remodeled a heavily outdated and partially unfinished building that he owns.

He gutted the bathroom and kitchen, and transformed the structure into a warm, two-bedroom cottage. More than 80 percent of the materials used had been recycled.

“It was well worth all the effort,” Gonzales said. “Nobody I know has a kitchen cabinet set like mine or a tiled bathroom with even half the style.”

It also saved him money and kept material from taking up space in a landfill.

Did you know the percent of home financed has shifted?

By Jessica Lautz, Research Economist

Did you know the percent of home financed has shifted?

• Credit standards have tightened in the last two years. As a result, the portion of the home financed has changed however it is not entirely intuitive how it changed.
• In 2005, the typical repeat buyer financed 79 percent of their recent home purchase. In 2009, the typical repeat buyer financed 85 percent of their recent home purchase.
• First-time buyers had a slight shift to financing less of their home purchase. In 2005, the typical first-time buyer financed 98 percent of their home purchase. In 2009, 96 percent of the home purchase was financed by first-time buyers.
• Among all buyers, the percent of home financed was stable at 91 percent for 2008, 2007, and 2006, but rose to 92 percent in 2009. In 2005 among all recent home buyers 87 percent of the home was financed.

Northampton office signs on 5 new agents

Since the spring launch of our Pedal to Properties Northampton, Massachusetts office they have been growing impressively.  Craig Della Penna has brought on 5 agents since their launch!

Here is a little more on their unique office!

Pedal to Properties Northampton

Welcome to Northampton, Massachusetts, the friendly little city with big city energy—gourmet restaurants and outdoor cafes, unique bookstores and fashion boutiques. Home to more artists, writers and musicians per square foot than any other spot between Soho and Montreal, Northampton offers a variety of art galleries, museums, clubs and theaters. Located in the heart of a lively five college community that includes Smith College, Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke and the University of Massachusetts.

Located at 14 Strong Ave., Pedal to Properties Northampton is a full-service real estate office that can help you really get to know our Pioneer Valley neighborhoods via our fun-to-ride cruiser bicycles. The managing broker and owner of the Northampton office is Craig Della Penna, a leader in real estate and livable communities.
True to our mission, Pedal to Properties Northampton sits next to a rail trail and about 100 yards from Northampton’s Union Station, where a commuter rail will be resurrected in the next few years. Our realtors will offer Tuesday evening tours of the different rail trails being developed in the Pioneer Valley.

Della Penna and his agents are committed to concepts that tie directly into the Pedal to Properties model – helping buyers and sellers connect with Realtors that care about livable communities. For example, for eight years Della Penna worked for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as their New England field representative and covered various states as legislative agent on issues of smart growth, sustainable economic development and alternative transportation. He has authored four books, regularly writes columns and editorials on these and other quality of life issues, and has delivered more than 750 lectures in 16 states and Canadian provinces. Della Penna also owns the Sugar Maple Trailside Inn, the third house that he and his wife, Kathleen, have restored. The Inn won Northampton’s Historic Preservation Award in 2003.  Whether looking for a home in Northampton, Florence, Leeds, Bay State Village, Haydenville, Williamsburg, Easthampton, Holyoke, Hatfield, Hadley, Amherst or elsewhere, Pedal to Properties Northampton agents can help you get a true sense of the community and carefully walk you through this big decision. Pedal to Properties Northampton offers consumers an enhanced home-buying experience by offering buyers a unique way to see neighborhoods, learning the nuances of local parks, schools, churches, parks and trails that are such important considerations when buying a home. While this office delivers high quality, full-service realty services, the agents are particularly mindful to help clients explore homes near linear parks, rail trails, hiking and biking trails and other conservation lands. This innovative niche has drawn attention from the National Association of Realtors, when it covered this office in its Smart Growth magazine, as well as Hemispheres, United Airlines’ magazine, and the Wall Street Journal among others.

Because there are so many beautiful and historic buildings throughout the Pioneer Valley, Pedal to Properties Northampton agents can also provide expert advice on home renovations, especially historic home renovations. Della Penna has overseen and restored three homes in the area, including an 1865 Italianate home in Northampton’s Village of Florence.

Pedal to Properties has garnered attention from national media including, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, MSNBC, ABC News, Sunset Magazine, HGTV, Fortune Small Business and others, because our realtors provide a home and a neighborhood perspective not seen from a car.

While Pedal to Properties is a full-service agency with all the traditional real estate services a buyer or seller expects, the concept dovetails with national trends that suggest buyers are placing more importance on shorter commute times and finding a home near urban centers and public transportation. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in Northampton or any of the other beautiful Pioneer Valley communities, give us a call.

Recruiting Agents!

Recruiting is one of the major challenges for most real estate companies. As a franchisee of Pedal to Properties we provide you with 6 months of agent recruitment training – free of charge! In any event check out this website which gives some great tips on recruiting agents.

The Recruiting Platform

What is your current online recruiting strategy ?

Do you have a stand-alone recruiting website?

Are you still tracking your recruiting leads on a notepad?

Are you capturing recruiting leads online?

Do you have an email drip campaign to incubate all of your recruiting leads?

Agents shop for a company in the same manner a consumer shops for a home.  The consumer wants anonymity and confidentiality during the process and so does the potential recruit.  Do you have a complete online recruiting system that is supporting you in the growth of your organization?  Are your recruiting efforts automated?  What would your recruiting results and profitability look like if you could manage over 1000 potential recruits in a systemized fashion?

It’s time for you to take advantage of the only recruiting software program in the industry that has been developed by someone that has done the work, experienced unprecedented results and is still down in the trenches recruiting experienced agents on a consistent basis!!