2013 Brownie Delivery

I always enjoy your notes back to me when I email you to notify you of your annual brownie delivery. Here are some of your responses so far. Don't worry, the deliveries have just commenced, so if you have not received them yet...they are still coming!

Thank you so much. Just checking if there are nuts in them. Please let me know. No nuts but always worry for someone with allergies because the chips are made in same factory with nuts. I guess I'll have to have Jenna's then. Lol

They are as usual unbelievable.  Thank you!!

If you see my husband and kids around town, don’t tell them…I told them you don’t deliver brownies anymore. Then I don’t have to share!

Thank you!! Oh no!!   We're in FL until Sunday.  If the house sitters eat them before I get home, I'll kill them!!

Just walked in. I have been in the city. I am fainting. We are stuffed, exhausted and shoveling in your brownies. I left all of the mail in the garage. That can wait. The brownies could not!

I do not know why you do not stop selling houses and start baking brownies. Honey, you could retire in a few years off of your riches.

Please be sure to tell David that we got a very good batch!

Thank you from the bottom of my very large upper arms!

Xxxooo

“Brownie time of the year” is the best time of the year!!!

Oh god, are those phenomenal. I've waited since the day I met you to be able to try those and they didn't disappoint! ;) 

Thank you for a HUGE surprise , earlier today we were invited to dinner tonight at the home of very dear friends, we said yes, however, since the invitation was casual, spur of the moment, we accepted the invitation yet said we would be coming empty handed.  "Bing" your name came across my "inbox"  WOW what perfect timing, we decided we would bring your brownies for dessert.  I happened to be "chatting" with a mutual friend of ours (yours and mine), I told her I was bringing your brownies for dessert.  The below is her response to my decision to share your brownies!!    We brought your brownies, and our friends and their kids just kept moaning after every bite, you are the brownie buddha!  Thank you so much for keeping us on the list.

"Honey, I would rather go empty handed than give up a tin of those brownies.  They are like chocolate Gold !!! "

Omg. Even better than last year. Ate a  whole row. So yummy. 

"AMAZING" brownies "reminds me of my Mom's", said Mike Thank you !

Thank you so much! Your the best!!  When you decide to retire from real estate, let me know and we'll go into business selling your brownies!

Best wishes for a happy holiday and new year.

I am definitely giving you a real estate recommendation on Trulia or Zillow if it means you will refill the can!!

God Bless Linda Skolnick...are the words that Alex said as I handed him the tin..

As always, we thank you!  

And ha ha - Alex asked if we were to sell our house would we use you...of course :)

Best to you and your family!

Oh my... The day Linda's brownies arrive is a holiday in itself!

Half gone already!

Max sends many thank you's!!! He and his friend had the best post thanksgiving day breakfast. Poor Jeff.......but then he doesn't even know they were here and gone.

As always, thanks for your brownies!

Thank you! Just got out if mailbox. Bests wishes for the new year.

Omg!!! Yay!!

Got em! And they are already almost gone. Thanks!

With the arrival of your brownies it is now officially the holiday season. As always, big thanks.

 Hi Linda. You made my day today. Thank you. I came home after working about 9 hours straight with spreadsheets and not really eating lunch. I was so happy to find delicious brownies in my mailbox. Thank you thank you.

Woo hoo!!! Can't wait! Xo

Thank you so much, sweetie!!  Brendan's absolute FAVORITE!!!

Linda...your brownies are so yummy...I only get to eat one piece and Terence one piece. The rest are Leonard's . He rationed it and eats two pieces a day, we can't touch them!

Matt got the mail and ran into the car saying "Linda's brownies!!!" with the biggest smile on his face !

You’re the best!

Already got it and I texted all the kids.  Daniel is NOT happy that he is away in college and all the brownies will be long gone :)

Thank you for the brownies- unbelievably good! Did you make them? I'm totally recommending you!!

Yum- thanks so much!!! We will certainly enjoy them!!!

6 Tips to Secure Your Dream House

Westport has enjoyed a stellar Real Estate market in 2013. Sellers are looking forward to a continued uptrend. Competition amongst buyers is getting fiercer, so be prepared to put your best foot forward to obtain your dream home. Consider using these 6 methods when negotiating on your potential purchase.

Meet before you hit the street – Before you step foot in a single foyer, speak with a bank or Mortgage Broker to get pre approved or pre qualified.  Have your credit pulled and make sure it’s accurate. It is now more imperative then ever to stay on time with bill paying. Recent late payments hurt your report more than older ones.  Insure there are no mistakes, giving yourself enough time to correct any uncovered errors. Collect your tax returns and any statements the bank or Broker may need.  It is much easier to prepare in advance. A seemingly unending list of requirements is about to be requested and it is time consuming to collect all the paperwork.  If you are self-employed, give yourself extra time, since many business owners may show their income more creatively than banks prefer.  Your broker will be helpful in determining what you can be approved for, afford and potential monthly payments.

          Start too Low and Blow it – There are many tire kickers out there, and homeowners are more frustrated than ever with them. As agents, we are obliged to present all offers, and explain “it’s just business, don’t take it personally”.  But, how do you not take it personally when we are talking about someone’s family home of 20 years. It’s a competitive market, and if you start too low, you may waste precious time and lose the house. The owner may not trust your negotiations if they feel you are trying to “steal” their homestead.

3      Put your money where your mouth is – It is fairly standard to submit 10% of the purchase price when the contract is executed. A buyer who offers more than 10% can be pretty appealing to the seller. The buyer proves his commitment and ability to afford the home.L

      Less is more – Keep your contingencies to a minimum while still protecting your interests. Sellers worry about all the roadblocks ahead. If the buyer makes a clean and short list of requirements to meet until the deal is clean, the seller is more likely to accept the deal.

      Take it personally – Let the seller know how much you love their home. Write them a heartfelt letter recounting why you want to buy it. Of course, a seller isn’t going to sell their home for less than someone else is willing to pay just because you wrote them a note, but when things are equal or close, the personal touch will usually win out. 

      Time is of the essence – Work with the seller’s timetable to close when it’s best for them. If the seller feels like they are not being rushed out, or that the closing can be on their planned timetable, they are more likely to work with you.  The ability on the buyer’s part to move either fast or slow, based on the seller’s needs can make the difference between winning the house and losing it.

When purchasing a home, the right price is of course important, but it is not the only determining factor. Confidence, ease and timing may prove to be just as important to a motivated seller.  Work with your agent to get prequalified, and know real value when you see it. Then, make an offer that a seller can’t refuse. It doesn’t have to cost you more!