Three Things That Help Homes Sell

A New York-based real estate agent, Wanda Tineo spent more than a decade working in the insurance industry as an underwriter. After switching her career focus to real estate, Wanda Tineo spent several years selling homes for Kennedy & Kennedy before going into business for herself.

While the right real estate agent is an essential part of selling a home, the process isn’t solely dependent on the real estate agent. Below are several things homeowners can do to ensure their home sells quickly:

Unclutter

When a house is cluttered, it can often look and feel smaller than it actually is. To avoid this, homeowners should clean all areas of their house, particularly the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, and other places that tend to collect various items. The things removed from these areas should then be put in a storage unit rather than being moved to a closet to make sure every space in the home remains uncluttered.

Fix everything

Home inspections play a big role in the final agreed-upon price of a home that’s for sale. To get the most for a home, owners should set about fixing everything they can. While doing this, special focus should be on items that are easily seen, such as rotting wood and carpet stains. Fixing these problems ahead of time lowers the risk that a deal will fall through or that the homeowner will get less for the property.

Brighten the house

Homes that appear poorly lit or dark can be depressing and often turn buyers away. To brighten living spaces, homeowners can use both artificial and natural light when opening their home for viewings. During a showing, the blinds and curtains should all be opened to let in as much light as possible. At the same time, light fixtures should be outfitted with high-wattage bulbs. Light paint colors on the walls also help brighten a home.

An Introduction to the FINRA Series 6 and Series 63 Licenses

A real estate professional with more than a decade of experience, Wanda Tineo serves as an independent agent in New York. Prior to entering real estate, Wanda Tineo worked in the insurance industry for 15 years, holding Series 6 and Series 63 licenses. 

Administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Series 6 license grants the ability to sell packaged investment products, including insurance policies, variable annuities, and mutual funds. In order to earn the license, candidates must pass FINRA's Investment Company and Variable Contracts Products Representation Qualification Exam. 

Only applicants sponsored by a FINRA member firm are eligible to take the 135-minute licensing exam, which comprises 100 multiple-choice questions on topics such as tax regulation, securities markets, and customer evaluation. The Series 6 license is awarded to candidates who pass the exam with a score of 70 percent or higher. 

Also known as the Uniform Securities Agent license, the Series 63 license is required of those interested in selling securities within certain states. The Series 63 exam, developed by the North American Securities Administrators Association, is shorter than the Series 6 exam, but is known for including difficult "trick" questions. 

Most US states and territories require anyone with a Series 6 license to also pass the Series 63 exam. However, the requirement is waived in Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and seven US states, including Colorado, Florida, and New Jersey.

New York Real Estate Licensing Requirements

Real estate agent Wanda Tineo, like many in the field, works independently. Real estate professionals like Wanda Tineo must undergo a strict licensing procedure before beginning their work in real estate.

In New York, real estate salespeople must be at least 18 years of age and residents of the United States. They must also complete a 75-hour qualifying education course for real estate sales, through a program approved by the secretary of state. The New York Department of State then requires a qualifying examination covering real estate topics. Once all items are completed, they must be submitted to the department of state along with an application form.

Real estate brokers, meanwhile, must be at least 20 years old and have at least two years of experience as a salesperson or three in the field as a whole. Their education requirements are higher than that of brokers, with an additional 45 hours expected, as well as another state examination.

Both brokers and salespeople are required to complete continuing education coursework to retain their licenses. Every two years, they must take 19.5 elective hours and three mandatory hours of training.

Three Essential Tips for Maintaining a Vegetable Garden

Drawing upon more than 10 years of experience, Wanda Tineo is a New York-based independent real estate agent who previously worked with Kennedy & Kennedy. Beyond her professional pursuits, Wanda Tineo enjoys growing flowers and maintaining a vegetable garden. 

Growing your own vegetables can help offset expensive grocery bills and is easier than you might think. Below are three important things to consider when starting your own garden:

1. Plant crops in triangles - In order to achieve maximum yields, planting in triangles is ideal. It allows you to fit nearly 15 percent more plants in each bed compared to planting in rows or square patterns. However, be sure to space plants out enough so they have enough room to reach their optimal size.

2. Pick an area that receives lots of sunlight - You can still grow some herbs and leafy crops in shadier areas. However, it's important to pick a location in your garden that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight per day. This is particularly the case if you plan on growing tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers. 

3. Include insect-friendly plants - Insects like butterflies, ladybugs, and bees can help boost crop pollination and improve the health of your plants. To attract them, be sure to include insect-friendly plants in your garden. Some examples include zinnias, sunflowers, and sweet alyssum.

Preparing a Garden for Winter

Wanda Tineo attended the University of Scranton, where she studied political science. Drawing on an insurance background, Wanda Tineo now works as a real estate agent. In her free time, she enjoys gardening.

To prepare a garden for the winter, gardening enthusiasts can take several steps: 

-Remove rotten plants. Plants that are no longer alive can harbor disease, pests, and fungi. By removing them, unwanted critters won’t hatch in the spring and cause problems during the following growing season.

-Dig up invasive weeds and throw them away.

-Prepare the soil for the spring by digging in manure, compost, bone meal, kelp, or rock phosphate. Additives left in the soil over winter have a chance to break down and enrich the soil prior to the next planting season.

-Some gardeners plant cover crops such as rye or clover. These crops can prevent soil erosion, break up compound areas, and increase levels of organic matter. In addition, they can add nutrients and increase levels of available nitrogen.

-Perennials can be pruned as appropriate, depending on species.

-Bulbs can be divided and planted.

-Mulch, traditionally applied in the spring, can be reapplied leading up to winter. The mulch reduces water loss, protects soil from erosion, inhibits weed growth, and protects plant roots.

-Trees and shrubs can be planted during the fall, since roots continue to grow during cold weather.

Preparing the Soil for Your Vegetable Garden

A real estate professional since 2007, Wanda Tineo has extensive experience building and nurturing a network of interested home buyers. In her off-hours, Wanda Tineo invests her energy in vegetable gardening.

For vegetables to thrive, you need to plant them in the proper soil. The Gardening Know How website features general information on the right soil conditions. A great place to start is your local extension office, which can analyze a soil sample and tell you if it meets these criteria:

- Organic material. Soils rich in organics have many needed nutrients. They make the soil more manageable and permit roots to spread quickly. They also soak up water to refresh your vegetables.

- Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Known also as N-P-K, these essential elements supplement organic nutrients. It may be necessary to adjust the amounts of N-P-K according to your particular conditions.

- Trace elements, such as boron, manganese, zinc, and molybdenum.

- Proper pH. A pH number refers to whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. Although the optimum pH varies, most gardens require a level between 6 and 7. Soil pH outside that range should be raised or lowered.

Beginner’s Tips for Planting Flowers in Containers

Formerly a real estate agent with Kennedy & Kennedy in Piermont, New York, Wanda Tineo now serves home buyers in her own business. In her leisure time, Wanda Tineo tends to her beloved flower garden.

Newcomers to gardening often start small by growing flowers in containers, often for later planting in a new place. Here are some suggestions for attractive container gardening:

Start with the flower pot. Choose a good size, remembering the larger they are, the more they will weigh when you add soil and water. Make sure the drainage hole is big enough to prevent the plant from drowning. Cover holes larger than half an inch with a screen or coffee filter so the soil will not escape.

Potting soil is your best bet for growth since it has essential nutrients and weighs less than your yard’s soil. Some potting soils have fertilizer mixed in, and you can add plant food. When choosing flowers, go to the annual and bedding plants section of a nursery. Space them about two inches apart.

There are three techniques for selecting the colors of your container plants. For a single accent, select a brightly-colored flower, such as a red geranium or a pink impatiens. Add variety with a multi-color arrangement of the same plant with different hues. Stores often offer pre-selected combinations.

Go a step further with a mixed arrangement. One popular method includes tall plants, bushy ones, and plants that trail over the sides. The right combination of texture and color can make a mixed arrangement eye-catching.