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I’ve Got a Guy – Episode 4: Concrete in Brookside with Bedrock Concrete

In this Episode of “I’ve Got a Guy,” your favorite Realtor, Ellen Z, talks all things Brookside concrete with Beau Hahn from Bedrock Concrete.

Whether you’re considering a new patio, driveway, garage floor or another project all together, Concrete work in the Brookside/Waldo neighborhoods presents its own unique challenges. That’s why Ellen brought in expert Beau Hahn to talk all things concrete. Since Brookside is an older, time-tested neighborhood, its concrete sidewalks, driveways, and patios can tend to show the daily wear and tear that comes along with such a rich history.

Watch the video below to answer all of your concrete questions as they talk concrete from both a home-buyer and seller’s perspective.

Brookside Concrete Challenges:

  • One of the common challenges in redoing driveways in Brookside is that layers of old concrete are often covered by layers of old asphalt and over the years has become thicker and thicker layers. This means that in order to truly repair a driveway or garage floor in Brookside a lot of work often needs to be done to first remove the old structures and do the project the right way.
  • Tree roots from the beautiful old trees in the neighborhood have often pushed up sidewalks, stairs and driveways.
  • Over the years, settling occurs and causes problems with driveways and foundations – often directing water flow toward the home instead of away from it.

Beau’s concrete tips for homeowners, buyers and sellers:

  • Sealing concrete – make sure to seal new concrete especially in order to get the most out of your concrete projects for a long time.
  • Never use harsh salts on your new concrete – it will tear up and deteriorate it much faster. Use sand instead.
  • Rinse off concrete with a hose if there is a nice winter day to help preserve it.
  • Settled concrete holds water and can come up in a home-inspection. Sellers should make sure to know what issues there may be – you don’t want any surprises!
  • Remember, concrete can sometimes be patched instead of having to completely replace it.Workers pouring concrete

In this video Beau Hahn also talks about the steps in the process of doing concrete work in Brookside and gives his inside tips for choosing the right contractor for the job.

If you’re considering a spring concrete project you won’t want to miss out on these expert tips. Call Beau at Bedrock Concrete for even more information. Are you looking to buy or sell in the wonderful Brookside neighborhood? Contact Ellen today to get connected with your dream home!

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DIY Home Selling: 5 Reasons to Avoid the For Sale By Owner Approach

Statistically, less than 10 percent of “For Sale By Owner” sellers actually succeed. Selling your home without a real estate agent may seem like a good idea. The thought of not having to pay a commission is a persuasive factor in why some sellers go the FSBO route. But is the “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) option the right choice?

Here 5 reasons that FSBO sellers are unsuccessful more often than not:

DIY tools: tape, clamps, wire cutters and pliars1. An Ill-Prepared Property

Preparing a house to be sold doesn’t just mean making sure everything is tidy; the condition of the house needs to be perfect. Houses that have obvious things wrong are going to be challenging to sell and they’re not likely to command top dollar.

This will involve:

  • Doing repairs.
  • Removing unnecessary furniture and clutter.
  • Painting and decorating neglected rooms in a way to make them look as appealing as possible.
  • Having a professional cleaning.

2. Handling Potential Buyers

A major part of the real estate agent’s job is handling inquiries. Staying on top of calls and emails, being prepared to show the property when it is convenient for potential buyers, can be some of the hardest things to manage for a FSBO seller. This is where an experienced agent would eliminate that stress from a seller.

3. Unsatisfactory Inspection Results

home inspection may turn up some problems with the house that the owner doesn’t want to acknowledge. Most buyers will require a home inspection, and very often, they will highlight some problems with the house. This can upset the owner and can lead to the deal falling through when the owner is unwilling to fix any issues unearthed. Real estate agents have been through the process many times and can offer their expertise in negotiating a successful outcome. Getting through a home inspection is often about give and take.

4. Negotiations with Buyers

The value of pricing your home correctly can be difficult to get right if you don’t have the experience. Negotiations over price can be problematic if the owner has lofty or misguided expectations. The purchase contract is something that also needs to be negotiated. The homeowner may not fully understand what the contract holds them to, and when they need to negotiate with the buyer.

It isn’t just about negotiating on the price; the contract needs to be paid attention to as well if the sale is going to be successful.

5. Closing the Deal

and signing house contractEven if the FSBO seller is lucky enough to get an offer, things can still go very wrong. After an offer is accepted, the homeowner can very easily make mistakes in the process, which can lead to failure. A specific order of events needs to take place for the sale to close. This will involve many different parties, and if they aren’t contacted at the right times, the sale can be delayed or even canceled. Selling a house for sale by owner is risky and should be heavily compared to using an agent before a decision is to be made.

 

Contact Ellen today or stop by at 9 W 63rd St, Kansas City, MO 64113 to find out how you can avoid the hassle of a FSBO deal!