Showing posts with label Selling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Selling. Show all posts
Thursday, June 23, 2016
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Thursday, April 9, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
5 Ways To Make Your Home For Sale Stand Out.
5 Ways To Make Your Home For Sale Stand out.
1. Clean your home thoroughly and keep it clean!
According to real estate professionals, doing a very thorough deep-cleaning of your home, inside and out, is a great way to make your home appeal to buyers. And just to be clear, by "clean," they don't mean the typical cleaning you might do on a regular basis. Go the extra mile by cleaning every window, every baseboard, cabinets, ceiling fans, etc. Maintain this level of cleanliness until closing, if at all possible. Once you do the majority of the deep cleaning, keeping it clean will be easier as long as you keep up with it regularly. Another option would be to hire a professional cleaning service to do this for you.
2. Have quality, relevant photos on your home's listing.
Since most people browse home listings online first, it is essential to have a good selection of quality photos of your home. Dark or blurry pictures will not do a property justice, and may give the impression that you are trying to hide something. Make sure you or your real estate agent photographs your home's interior AND exterior. Listings that only show one or the other will not make a great online impression. A good rule of thumb is, if there aren't pictures of something, buyers are going to presume it's not worth seeing. Also, it is important to make your photos relevant to what you really want to show off. As nice as your furniture may be, most people don't want to see a photo that makes it the main focus of the picture. Take photos of the entire room, not just one wall or corner.
3. Keep your yard well-maintained.
Curb appeal is a big selling point, especially once a potential buyer visits your home in person. Having a tidy, well-landscaped yard will give your home a nice presentation. If you don't have much or any landscaping in your yard, just do the best you can with what you've got. Spread some fresh mulch around shrubs or flower beds, keep your yard mowed and free of weeds, and invest in a lawn edger if you can. Make sure your yard isn't cluttered by lawn ornaments and decorations. When it comes to presenting a home for sale, less is more. And speaking of clutter...
4. De-clutter your home.
Some real estate agents suggest getting a head start on the packing you'll have to do anyway by going ahead and packing things you won't need for everyday use. You can even rent a storage facility to house any non-essential furniture pieces. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure your home is free of clutter. Don't feel like you have to make your home look like a motel room; a few knickknacks can give your home a "lived in" feel to it. The important thing to remember is not to hide your home's potential. Buyers will want to envision their furniture and their things in your home. This will be much easier for them to do if they aren't distracted by a lot of art on the walls or collections of bric-a-brac.
5. Upgrade, update away!
Take stock of your home's appliances and interior features. Wherever possible, update or upgrade anything that you think is outdated. It will cost money, but not always as much as you think. And remember, whatever you put into your home is an investment and a selling point. This is especially true when it comes to kitchen appliances. If your stove, refrigerator or dishwasher is more than 10 years old - you should seriously consider an update. Many appliances these days are also more energy-efficient, which is something more and more buyers are looking for. In addition to appliances, look at the condition and age of your floors. If you have hardwood, perhaps getting them refinished would be a good idea. If you have old linoleum in your bathrooms, check prices on some new laminate or tile. This principle doesn't just apply to floors and appliances, of course. If you see anything in your home that could use some spiffing up, do it. And you can do it without breaking the bank. Even replacing old carpet with new carpet (even if it isn't top grade) will make a difference.
These are just a few ideas to help your home make a great impression on buyers. Talk to your real estate agent for more ideas, or to get a specific list of things you can do for your property.
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Thursday, September 12, 2013
Understanding Home Inspections.
UNDERSTANDING HOME INSPECTIONS
Enter the home inspector. A home inspector performs a physical inspection of the structure and systems of your prospective home. This means that while you may love the beauty of the living room’s wood floors, your inspector can tell if the floor will truly last.
The home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a home, from roof to foundation. The inspection will determine not only the condition of the home, but also help foresee any immediate unnecessary additional cost that may go unnoticed by the untrained eye.
Home inspections start at around $200 depending on the size of the home, its age and overall condition. It’s money well spent if you’re serious about that particular property.
According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, the standard home inspector’s report will cover the condition of the home’s heating system; central air conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.
John Prohaska, owner of J&P Inspections in Des Moines, Iowa, compares a home inspection to getting a physical from your doctor.
“When problems or symptoms of problems are found, the inspector may recommend further evaluation or remedies,” he said. “A home inspection summarizes the condition of a property, points out the need for major repairs and identifies areas that may need attention in the near future.”
The inspection will show the positive and negative aspects of a home, as well as the maintenance that will be necessary to keep it in good shape. After an inspection, both parties have a much clearer understanding of the value and needs of the property.
Knowing about an issue before closing gives you the upper-hand at the negotiating table. A home in good working order may have been worth $350,000, but if $20,000 of work needs to be done to replace rotted wood or bad plumbing, the price should drop.
Before any sale is complete, you will need an inspection to look over the good, the bad and the ugly of what your new home really offers.
Remember, even if a house needs repairs or has hidden problems, it shouldn’t always be the catalyst for getting out of a sale. No house is perfect and as long as you know ahead of time what needs to be done and can possibly change the purchase price based on the information, the home inspection will give you a great starter list of what needs to be done to really make moving in that smoother.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Selling an Ugly Home
Selling an Ugly Home
Let’s say that you inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You may not have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale.
Or, maybe you had renters at your property who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations.
Fear not. Just because the house needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Many homebuyers today are shopping for deals and want to see the potential in your home. In that case, leave brochures for new cabinets in the kitchen, color palates around the bedrooms and even create computerized images of what updates could look like.
In addition, secure bids from licensed contractors on necessary fixes and provide them to your potential buyers. People may overestimate the cost of a new roof, shower stall or drywall repair and fresh paint. Estimates will bring the home into clearer perspective.
Work with your real estate agent to make the home as presentable as possible for the least amount of money. Make a room or two inviting so you have the photos that will attract buyers to what you can call “a fixer upper.”
Of course, nothing is going to attract people more than a low price. Obviously, you will need to discount the sales price to gain an advantage over comparables in better condition.
A down-and-out house doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With small repairs, research and practical pricing, you can turn that “Ugly Betty” into a sale.
Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time
AOL Real Estate
Now that the real estate market is picking up again, many people are looking to sell their homes at last. But when you sell, you have to move somewhere -- which usually means buying another home. Buying and selling at the same time brings up a whole new set of challenges, but those who plan well in advance can make it happen smoothly. Here are five ways to successfully buy and sell a home at the same time.
1.
Prepare to be stressed. Buying a home is stressful. Selling a home is stressful. When you do both at the same time, the experience is super stressful, not to mention emotional and difficult on many levels. You're potentially carrying two mortgages or trying to time the purchase with the sale. There will be a lot of sleepless nights, worrying over finances and pressure to make a decision. It's enough to ignite a family war.
Accepting upfront that this process will be extremely stressful will help in the long run. Know that most homeowners go through this, and there is success at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Plan everything as much as possible in advance. Do your homework. And take care of yourself. You're going to be busier than usual.
2.
Meet with your agent early on. Owners often believe their home is worth less than what the current market will bear. That's why it's important to meet with your real estate agent early on, even months before you plan to buy or sell. Researching online valuation tools or doing basic research will help to guide you. But a local agent will help you understand your home's true current market value and marketability. A good agent is in the trenches daily and knows your neighborhood and market inside and out.
3.
Learn the market where you want to purchase. After getting some hard numbers for your home's sale you need to do the same on the purchase side. What's on your wish list? What are your priorities? Determine your needs and understand what you will get for your money on the purchase side. You need to know this to factor in how financing will work with the buy/sell. Also, understand that market. Is it more or less competitive than where you live now? How long can you expect to search for a home? This will factor into your sale timing. If you're moving within the city or town where you live, your listing agent will likely serve as your buying agent. If you're moving just outside your area, you may need to ask your agent to refer you to an agent knowledgeable about that area.
4.
Know your numbers. Once you understand the numbers on both the purchase and the sale, you need to know your financing options. Many people today don't have a strong-enough financial foundation to purchase another home before selling their own, so knowing this upfront can help you plan more appropriately.
Engage a local mortgage broker or lender and understand what kind of down payment you'll need to make a purchase, given the price point and type of home you seek to buy. How much equity do you have in your current home, and is the equity available? Do you have enough of a down payment liquid and would a lender allow you to make the purchase before selling the home? Find out by going through the loan pre-approval process. A good, local mortgage professional is as valuable as a good real estate agent.
5.
Make a plan. Now that you know your numbers, it's time to come up with a plan and execute. The plan can vary greatly, depending upon any number of conditions. Some examples: Buying in a competitive market? Adding a contingency that your current home must sell before you buy probably won't work.
• Selling in a competitive market? You may be able to negotiate with the buyer for a longer escrow or even a rent back. This would buy you time on the purchase side.
• Selling in a slow market and buying in a competitive market? Need the sales proceeds in order to do the purchase? Unfortunately, you're in the worst-case scenario. Consider the option of selling your home first and moving into temporary housing. While not the most physically convenient, it could be less stressful.
• Need temporary housing? Start researching those options now well in advance
Understanding the variables: There are so many variables that can come into play when buying or selling. Each one may affect your decision-making process. Identifying and planning for the variables as much as possible early on will help you avoid sleepless nights, stressful days, or fights with your spouse or partner.
By Brendan Desimone AOL Real Estate
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