Christine Hartman

DRE: BR553342000


(480) 403-1254
(602) 230-7600 (Office)

Keep In Touch With Chris Hartman at ♦HomeSmart Arcadia

Kids Need to Understand Personal Data

Posted On: May 22nd, 2022 4:17PM

The risks and benefits of data collection may be incomprehensible to most children, but it’s important for them to know that information about them is constantly being collected from their smartphones. Therefore, even children need to be thoughtful about what facts and images they choose to share, as they build a digital footprint throughout the course of their lives. 

 

 

In other words, they need to know that data collection is about more than tracking their progress when they play their favorite games.


The choices, interests and “likes” kids express on their smartphones will be used to predict their behavior, and ultimately entice them to buy things, even when they don’t need them. They will be bated with cleverly masked offers that seem completely legitimate. What starts with a simple pop culture reference can eventually become a “phishing” scheme to collect personal information about a user, and eventually create a phony persona that can actually ruin a child’s credit rating. Surprisingly, this can be difficult to reverse. So, if kids are old enough to use a smartphone, they must be old enough to establish strong passwords, and to practice cyber-safety 24/7.

 

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Beware of Over-Downsizing or Over-Upsizing

Posted On: May 22nd, 2022 4:14PM
Buying a new pair of shoes is relatively easy. Once you find the style you like, all you need to do is try them on and see if they fit. If they do, you go to the cash register and pay.
 
When it comes to size, buying a new home can be trickier! Whether your intention is to upsize or downsize, figuring out the right size can be especially challenging.
 
Say for example, you’re downsizing from a large two-story home to a smaller bungalow. You don’t want to underestimate the space you need and end up in a place that feels tight. If you’re going the other way and upsizing, you don’t want to end up sinking extra money into a property that’s larger than you really need.

So how do you avoid these scenarios?

 

 

One of the best ways is to start by considering your current home. Do you use all the rooms in your home regularly? Is there a bedroom that’s rarely occupied? Has the recreation room become simply a storage area? If you’re downsizing, subtracting rooms you scarcely use can give you a better idea of what you need in a new home.

 

Upsizing is a bit more challenging because you have to anticipate what you will need in the future. For example, if you have young children, and your place is feeling cramped, then a home with a recreation room or separate family and living rooms may be a good idea. You may also need a bigger kitchen with a spacious eating area (in addition to a separate dining room.) Think about the extra room you’ll need and how you’ll use that space.

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Have A Periodic Conversation With Your Realtor

Posted On: May 3rd, 2022 8:50PM

You’ve probably heard the saying, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” It refers to problems or opportunities you simply aren’t aware of.

 

For example, you might think your plumbing system is fine. You have no problems! However, a plumber may take a look and immediately notice a weak joint that’s sure to leak in the near future. Professionals in their fields know about things we simply don’t.

 

The same situation can happen in real estate.

 

There may be issues or opportunities concerning your home that you can’t see. For example, your property may have gone up in value more than you realized. Or, there may be opportunities on the market that are worth looking into.

 

That’s why I recommend we have a conversation periodically, ideally once a year. That way, you can get updated on your home’s value and what the current marketplace is like. Plus, you’ll get insights into any issues or opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.

 

Want to schedule that conversation? Contact me anytime.

 

Kindest Regards,

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The Latest in Kitchen Fire Prevention – What You Need to Know

Posted On: May 3rd, 2022 8:47PM

More fires start in the kitchen than in any other room. These fires can be expensive; since even a minor incident, with no injuries, can result in significant damage. That’s why it’s important to keep up with the latest in fire prevention.
The most recent research tells us: Never leave cooking food unattended. Doing so is the number one cause of kitchen fires.

Make sure cooking appliances, especially deep fryers, are safety certified by the appropriate government agency.

When using oil in a frying pan, always heat slowly at no more than a medium heat setting.

Always turn off stove burners and other cooking appliances immediately after cooking.

Never attempt to put out a grease fire with water. Use baking soda or a fire extinguisher.

Never remove or cover up a smoke detector due to nuisance alarms. The one alarm that isn’t a nuisance may save your life.

Finally, experts say that if you can’t put out a fire immediately, get everyone out of the home and call emergency services.

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Finding the List Price “Tipping Points”

Posted On: May 3rd, 2022 8:44PM

Setting the right list price for a home is a mystery for many sellers. How do you begin to determine what buyers are likely to pay for your property? After all, no two homes are exactly alike.
Yet, setting the right price is crucial. You need to avoid the two price “tipping points” that, if crossed, can cause you a lot of problems.

The first tipping point is a price that’s low enough for buyers to begin thinking something is wrong. They wonder, “Why is your price so low? What are you not telling us about your property?”

But that’s not even the worst problem with this tipping point. If you do get offers at that low price, you’ll have a bigger issue – leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

The other tipping point is setting your price so high it discourages buyers from giving your listing a second look. When your price is that high, you’ll get few enquiries and even fewer people coming to see your property.

Of course, you can lower your price later, if necessary. But experience shows that reduced prices make potential buyers skeptical. Most sellers who price high in the hopes of getting a windfall, actually end up selling for much less than they would have had they priced their properties correctly in the first place.

So, what’s the right price to list your property? The answer is somewhere in-between those two tipping points.

Call today for help determining the right price for your property.

 

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