Top Reasons Your House Expired

Top Reasons Your House Expired

There’s nothing more discouraging than having your listing expire. You’ve gone to all the trouble of staging your home, spending weekends and evenings running out the door to accommodate last minute showings and have nothing to show for it. The good news is there are real reasons why your home didn’t sell. Understanding these reasons can help you do things differently when you relist.

• Condition – Most home buyers are able to see beyond slight imperfections, but it’s important to offer a clean, neat home free from chipping paint, clutter and debris.

• Photographs – Most of today’s buyers start their home online, you must showcase your home through media first in order to entice the buyers to make an appointment.

• Price – One of the worst things a seller can do is “test the waters.” Many buyers will write off the home because they view you as unrealistic. After a listing has been on the market for a while, buyers then assume there is something wrong with the home, when in fact the sellers are just waiting for an offer.

• Poor Exposure – Homes don’t sell themselves, buyers need to see the home. Make showings easy by using a lockbox and allowing your agent to hold open houses.

• Wrong Agent – Not all agents are alike. The agent needs to be actively involved in the sale, not simply waiting for offers to land in their inbox.

Avoid the frustrating experience of having your home listing expire by understanding ahead of time the possible issues which can cause the listing to sit on the market. Knowing the possible pitfalls reduces the chance of an expiring listing and helps you sell your home for a great price and terrific terms.

Contact me and find out why you need a pro-active real estate agent representing your home sale.

The Internet Isn't Your Agent

The Internet Can’t Replace Your Agent 

We live in the information age; the Internet offers advice on every topic and real estate is no exception. With more and more home buyers starting their home search online, they are bombarded with advice and information – it can be easy to think that you can learn everything you need to know just by reading articles online.

The truth is your real estate agent does much more than answer your questions and open doors with a special key. A professional real estate agent will be there every step of the way. They have the experience necessary to navigate the complicated home buying process and solve common hiccups that present themselves in every real estate transactions.

Your real estate agent is a local professional. They will start by presenting themselves to the buyer’s agent as someone who will work with them to see the transaction through to a successful conclusion. They have a network of professionals who will work as a team to help you through the process. These include such professionals as: lenders, title reps, escrow officers, transaction coordinators, home inspectors, contractors and handymen, among others.

Most importantly, your agent is your ally in the home buying process. They negotiate on your behalf – armed with experience and understanding of customary charges, costs and terms.

They will ensure that the price you pay for the home is fair for the condition and neighborhood. They will negotiate repairs, if needed and make sure you are protected with the proper contingencies.

The Internet offers lots of great information, but the most important step you can take when buying a new home, is hiring a local professional real estate agent. Their knowledge and expertise can’t be found by reading an article or two online.

Contact me today with your questions, concerns, or anything else.

4 Reasons to Sell this Fall

4 Reasons to Sell this Fall

Traditional lore says that the best time to list your home for sale is spring and if it hasn’t sold by the end of summer, you’re out of luck. Along the same lines, homeowners across the country are often advised not to list in the fall and wait until after the holidays to list. The truth is that a great home will sell at any time of year and in fact there are some very good reasons to list in the fall, while everyone else is busy doing other activities.

4 Reasons to Sell this Fall

1.     Less Competition – As mentioned above, most sellers list in spring so as a seller, fall provides you less competition which increases the opportunity for buyers to view your home.

2.     Serious Buyers – Home buyers in fall often have a timeline to move before the holidays. They tend to take the home search seriously and move to write offers faster and avoid wasting time.

3.     Curb Appeal – Fall is a beautiful time of year and homes always seem cozier as the weather turns. Fall colors in the trees and the scent of baking entice buyers to feel “at home” which encourages offers.

4.     Closing is Easier – The pace of home sales slows during the fall; as such lenders can move faster and the process tends to take less time.

The last and best reason to sell this fall is that it’s the right time for you and your plans. Regardless of whether you are relocating, moving up or scaling down, if this is the right time to sell, then this is the best time to sell.

What to Repair in Your Home Before You List

What to Repair in your Home Before you List

A lot of money goes into buying a new house so it is understandable if a seller feels hesitant investing even more money to fix up their current  house prior to selling. However, sellers may not realize that some of the issues they live with everyday and consider minor, such as the hallway light switch or the kitchen sink that has plumbing issues, may actually be considered major to home buyers. These issues may even prevent buyers from making an offer on a home or making a lower offer. It’s crucial to keep your house presentable and in good shape before you list it on the market.

That being said, read on to find out what repairs you might want to consider before you list on your house on the market.

Roof Problems

A roof is one of the most important components of a home, protecting all that is underneath. Additionally, roofs are major expenses to replace.

Therefore, it is imperative to keep the roof well maintained and free of damage and leaks. Issues like water and sun damage, clogged gutters, and rotting will lead to bigger issues if not fixed timely. Tending to these items immediately will help prevent further damage and help present the home well.

Poor Maintenance

Minor issues such as damaged flooring, paint chipping, and old carpeting can be easily fixed to give your home a renovation. Your goal is to make your home appealing so start by replacing anything that is heavily worn and adding a fresh coat of paint. And these minor upgrades can be inexpensive because you’ll most likely see a return on investment.

Plumbing

Plumbing problems can result in minor or major issues and it is very important to take care of these issues right away as they can lead to further problems. Bigger problems such as water damage can lead to mold and easy fixes to leaky faucets can be replaced inexpensively.

Wiring

Electrical problems can cause a wide variety of problems. Smaller fixes such as faulty switches, missing wire nuts, or damaged junction boxes can be fixed with a good electrician. Replacing a circuit breaker might be needed if they don’t match the amperage of your home. Some repairs are obvious to see and others aren’t so it’s a good idea to run a pre-inspection of your house before listing. After, review it with your realtor because they can advise on which ones are the first priority.

Maximizing Your Home's Value

Maximizing Your Home Value

Are you ready to list your home for sale? One of the first questions you might have is, “how can I maximize my home value?” Every seller wants to get the best possible price for their home; fortunately there are ways to make sure your potential buyers see the true value of your property and allow you to receive top dollar when you sell.

• Clean, declutter, depersonalize – The first thing every home seller needs to do is take a critical look at the home and clear out the distractions. Cleaning the home/yard is a must. Remove anything that can draw a buyer’s eye away from the beauty of the home.

• Redecorate – Professional home stagers will often advise clients to remove and/or replace furnishings. Even if you love oversized furniture, it can make the room look small; consider renting more neutral pieces during the listing.

• Perfect Condition – No home is perfect, but before you list take care of deferred maintenance issues. Replace missing roof tiles, repaint any area that is worn or dirty, and re-sod your lawn; remember; buyers want to know the home has “good bones.”

• Update carefully – It’s not important for home sellers to have the latest countertops or custom bathtub to get a good value for their home. Often the home updates/improvements sellers undergo cost more than they would lose in sales price without them. If your home is very dated, consider a seller credit instead to allow the buyer to choose their own upgrades.

Homes retain value based on a few factors; the location, the condition and the features. Before you list, speak with your agent, then make any necessary repairs and changes to ensure you get the best value for your home when you sell.

Should Sellers Offer A Home Warranty?

Should Sellers Offer Home Warranties?

If you are selling your home, one of the most common requests with the buyer’s offer is to pay for a home warranty. As a seller, you might be wondering if it’s something that’s worth the expense. Some agents suggest that the seller purchase a listing warranty as well as part of the sales process. Understanding the benefits of a home warranty is the first step in deciding if it’s worth the cost to you, the seller.

A home warranty is a policy which covers the cost of repairs to a number of critical systems in the home. While coverage varies, most cover electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning and appliances. Some optional coverage could include pool and spa, roofing and code protection among others. In the event that a home buyer has a problem with any of the covered systems, the warranty would send a service person out to make the repairs for only the policy deductible – usually between $65-100 per problem.

The home warranty provides peace-of-mind to the buyer that if an undetected problem shows up after the close; their out-of-pocket cost is limited to the small deductible. While this does not negate the need for a professional home inspection, it can push a transaction to close with buyers who are nervous about unexpected problems. As an additional bonus, most warranty companies offer a free listing warranty which covers unexpected issues during the listing; often saving the home owner hundreds of dollars in repairs arising from the inspection.

Offering a home warranty in the listing is one way to demonstrate to potential buyers that the condition of the home is important to the seller as well. You take maintenance seriously and they can rest assured that they are making a good investment.

Tips For Selling in Summer

Tips for Selling in Summer

Summer has traditionally been the best time to sell a home. Not only do many families take advantage of moving when the kids are out of school, but in climates where winter weather is unpredictable or severe, the warmer months make it easier to be away for showings. With more homes on the market, how can you maximize your potential for a great offer among the options? Fortunately, you can take a few steps to ensure your home stands out from the crowd.

Tips for Selling in Summer

• Control the Climate – The first thing a buyer will notice when they walk into a home is the temperature. If the weather is warm and humid, it’s critical you keep the home cool. A larger air conditioning bill is a small price to pay for a top dollar offer.

• Let in the Sun – It might be tempting to close the blinds to save money on air conditioning, but bright, sunny rooms are always more appealing; leave enough open to showcase natural light.

• Extend Outdoors – Today’s lifestyle includes the outdoor areas and more and more homes feature outdoor living and dining areas. Regardless of your home’s features, maximize the impact of your yard with furniture, BBQs and manicured landscaping.

• Spring Clean – A fresh, decluttered home with a lighter, seasonal color scheme will be visually appealing to your buyers. Replace dark pillows, linen and accents with softer colors which make the rooms seem larger.

The summer selling season is here. Make sure your home is dressed for success. Welcoming outdoor spaces and bright sunny rooms combined with inviting an air conditioned rooms will ensure you get the best possible offer.

The Cost of Home Staging

The Cost of Home Staging

Have you wondered if you should consider professional staging for your home before you list it for sale? Most of us have wandered into new home developments and enjoyed the ambiance of a perfectly styled model home. Of course we would all like our homes to give that same impression to potential home buyers, but what would that cost? Understanding the options available to you for staging can help you decide what, if any, professional staging makes sense for you and your budget.

What is Staging?

First it’s important to understand what professional staging includes. The best answer is, “it depends”! Staging can be as simple as a consultation or as involved as removal of existing furniture and replacing it with designer furnishings.

Needless to say, the cost of the two extremes are drastically different. Most homeowners who hire professional stagers are somewhere in the middle.

Staging begins with a tour of the room or home. Often simple placement of furniture can make a huge impact. The stager might also bring in elements to enhance the décor, such as colorful pillows, lamps, wall art or carpet. These are loaned to the homeowner for the duration of the listing.

Cost of Staging

Most stagers charge a flat rate for the initial consultation; this ranges from about $250-500, depending on the size of the home. If the homeowner determines that they also need furnishings, these are rented by the month and can range from $300-500 per room, per month. Additionally, there is often a minimum number of months required, typically 3 months.

Professionally staging your home is one option home sellers have to ensure their home is seen in its best light. Just as buyers fall in love with model homes, staging your home can bring a modern feel and entice buyers to write the offer. The best way to start is with your agent, to understand your market, competition and needs.

As I hold a Home Staging Certification, I do include staging as part of our marketing consultation. Make your appointment today!

3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your Home For Sale

3 Must-Do's Before Listing Your House for Sale

Before you list your home for sale, it’s time to do a little work around the house – to prepare and make sure your home is seen in the best possible light. These “must-do” items are about showing your home to buyers as one which is cared for and ready for them to add their own brand of home to the space. Taking a little time up front can mean thousands of dollars as buyers start writing their offers.

3 Must-Do’s Before Listing Your House for Sale

1.      Declutter, Depersonalize and Clean – This is the time to take spring cleaning seriously, in any season. Clear out all unnecessary items from the home; closets, drawers, extra clothes, old unwanted furniture. Donate to charity, hire a dumpster or rent a storage space; buyers will look in every space and open all drawers and cabinets, make sure your home seems spacious. Spend some time to depersonalize by removing excessive pictures and hide heirlooms. Finally, deep clean every space top to bottom.

2.      Address Deferred Maintenance – Make small repairs or hire a handyman to take care of problems which could appear during the home inspection. Replace caulking, fix broken windows and screens, replace light bulbs and freshen up and clean grout; buyers want to see a home that is cared for with “good bones.”

3.      Go for Curb Appeal – Spend some time in the yard. Trim bushes and trees, clean and repair hardscape and make sure there is adequate lighting. Welcome your buyers with seasonal flowers or décor and place a fresh mat by the front door.

Before you put that sign in the front yard, spend a little time and elbow grease to make sure you welcome your potential buyers with the best version of your home.

Why do Homes Listed with Professional Real Estate Photos Sell Quicker and For More Money?

Why do Homes Listed with Professional Real Estate Photos Sell Quicker and For More Money?

If you are planning to list your home for sale, you probably already know that you need to prepare your home for the market. The point is to create the most attractive, welcoming version of your home to entice buyers into the home and encourage offers. Your listing needs attention also! Professional photography is the best way to attract those buyers and to ensure you get the best possible price in the shortest timeframe.

Most buyers now start their home search online. Online listings with professional photography receive significantly more views than those without. Buyers tend to linger on the site longer as well.

Professional photographers do far more than snap pictures with the right lens. They understand how to create the right emotional response in the viewers. They have experience working with listings and homes and normally they specialize in real estate.

You already know that homes must be staged to some degree for sale. Buyers must be able to envision themselves living in your home. Photography is about lighting and angles. A good photographer can bring out the best in your home by using these techniques in their shots. Professional pictures can play with light and position to allow your home to appear spacious and bright.

Professional photography is no longer reserved for luxury property listings. More and more agents are seeing the value of beautiful pictures. Make sure your home stands out among the sea of listings as potential buyers sort through properties online. Professional photography will help you sell your home faster and for a higher sales price than those without. Present your home in the best possible light to attract those buyers and encourage them to visit and write you an offer.

Photos are included for all my sellers! You never have to worry about cutting corners when it comes to my professionalism and expertise when marketing your home. Reach out today to make an appointment!