Mar 16, 2021 | Home Seller Tips
Listing a property is a delicate dance. From the initial marketing to the final price negotiations, everything needs to be tailored to the type of home being sold. However, because of their main differences, this process can look very different when selling a condo versus selling a house.
Reason #1: The Homeowners Association or HOA
As all condo owners will know very well, almost all condos come with some type of HOA, or homeowners association.
The HOA generally handles common areas like swimming pools, the exterior of the building, and landscaping. Sometimes, the HOA is also responsible for holding social events throughout the year.
However, all of this comes at a few costs. The first is money; a HOA cannot operate or pay necessary expenses without charging residents a monthly fee. The second is freedom; most HOAs have rules that need to be followed.
When selling a condo, potential buyers will balance the costs of each HOA with the benefits.
Reason #2: Real Estate Investors
When selling a condo, it’s reasonable to expect a larger number of investors considering the property than when selling a home. After all, renting out condos is a big business.
As a result, selling a condo could mean a faster closing, a cash offer, or even competing bids if the condo is on prime property.
Reason #3: The Type of Buyer
Different types of buyers look at a condo versus a home. For starters, condos are generally smaller, don’t have yards, have all landscaping handled professionally, and frequently come with amenities like a swimming pool or fitness center.
While a good majority of potential buyers with children would love a swimming pool with zero maintenance, they aren’t willing to make the trade for a smaller space. This means that when selling a condo, potential buyers will generally be single adults, newly married couples, or retired professionals looking to downgrade to an easier property.
Reason #4: Location, Location, Location
Every real estate agent knows that one factor, above all others, is most important when selling a property: location. Being close to town versus far away from traffic, near downtown excitement versus in a quiet neighborhood, or near shopping centers versus on the edge of nowhere all come into play for a property’s value and desirability.
Generally speaking, condos tend to be closer to urban areas, shopping, and entertainment. This also means that their price per square foot is frequently higher. As a result, owners looking to sell their condo should carefully consult with their real estate agent about the best way to market their property and a fair listing price.
Feb 9, 2021 | Home Seller Tips
With many young homebuyers entering the market, it is important for those looking to sell a home to think about the features that the younger generation is looking for. With numerous people between the ages of 18 and 34 getting ready to purchase their first home, what are they looking for? There are a few important factors to keep in mind.
An Open Floor Plan Is A Must
Work-life balance is one of the most important priorities for the younger generation. Their home will have to cater to this. They plan on spending a tremendous amount of time with family members and friends and this means an open floor plan. An open floor plan refers to having a continuous kitchen, living room, and dining room that is not separated by walls. This will make it easier for them to socialize with the people in their homes. If the home does not have an open floor plan, it will not be attractive to first-time homebuyers.
A Patio With A View
Another feature that a lot of young home buyers are looking for is a patio with a view. Just as they plan on spending time with family members and friends inside, they plan on doing the same thing outside. In order to make this happen, it will need to have a patio with a view. Even though some young homebuyers are going to be looking for a larger deck than others, a home without a deck is not going to be seen as attractive to them.
A Space For A Vegetable Garden
Even though this might come as a surprise to some, the younger generation is very cognizant of their imprint on the environment. A lot of them are looking for ways to grow their own food in their backyard as a way to be more sustainable. If the home has a location for a vegetable garden, it is going to be more attractive. See if there is a way to set up a defined space for a garden.
First Time Homebuyers Are On The Rise
These are a few of the most important factors that first-time homebuyers look for. Homes with these features will be more attractive to the younger generation.
Dec 3, 2020 | Home Seller Tips
Many people think that selling a home after the holidays and during the Winter season is a bad idea. Most people are not in the home buying mood, because they are thinking about the holidays.
Also, buyers will think that you are desperate and they will give you offers that are less than list price.
Advantages Of Selling Your Home Now
However, there are some advantages to selling your home over the holidays and into the new year. There will be less homes on the market, so there won’t be as much competition.
Also, buyers will likely be on their holidays from work, so they will have much more time to view properties and look around at homes.
Another factor is mood – buyers will generally be feeling more cheery and relaxed over the holidays, which will result in them being more likely to make the decision to buy a home.
A home can have a really romantic and cosy feeling during the winter season, which could make a buyer fall in love with it.
When You Are Selling Your Home During The Winter Season, Here Are Some Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Choose a good real estate agent who will be able to communicate with you well and find the right buyers for your house.
- Price the house realistically. This time of year, it helps to be competitive. You might even get buyers competing, which will push the price up as they bid against each other.
- Make sure that you have all of the paperwork in order, including an energy performance certificate, fittings and fixtures list and much more.
- Give your home a little makeover so that it gives a great first impression. Touch up the paintwork, rearrange the furniture and remove clutter.
- Giving a sense of airy lightness is important, especially in the winter months. Make sure that your windows let in plenty of natural light.
- Be flexible. You might need to be able to accommodate last minute viewings or viewings at strange times, so keep your schedule open.
- Serve seasonal drinks and snacks at your open house, such as mulled wine, eggnog and cookies, to put your buyers in a good mood.
- Have your moving company chosen and ready to go in advance, in case there is the possibility of a quick sale.
These are just a few tips to keep in mind for selling your home over the holidays. For more helpful tips, contact your trusted real estate professional.
Oct 30, 2020 | Home Seller Tips
As a society, it seems like we’ve gotten away from appreciating our homes for their emotional and sentimental worth. Instead, we focus solely on their monetary value.
An Appraiser Can Estimate A Home’s Monetary Value, But To Gain A True Concept Of Your Home’s Worth, You Must Also Take Into Consideration:
- Pride Of Ownership. You don’t buy a pair of Prada shoes because you’re going to be able to resell them and make a profit. You buy them because they make you look good and feel good.
- Security And Stability.Your home provides a roof over your head that’s in your control. You can decorate it how you want. You don’t have to worry about a landlord selling the property or asking you to move out. In the “olden days” (or should I say “golden days”), we called our homes our castles because, as owners, we felt like the kings and queens of our homes. You can still feel that way! Claim your castle and crown yourself king or queen today.
- A Safe Haven.After a tough day at work or a day of disappointments, where’s the first place you think of going? Home! As Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home.”
- A Place To Make Memories. Your son’s tree house and daughter’s playhouse. The markings on the wall that tracked your children’s growth. The porch swing where you start and end every anniversary celebration.
- A Neighborhood Full Of Friends. In the event of an emergency, your neighbors are your first line of defense. They’re also the simplest, best and least expensive form of security. Additionally, they may have the exact tool you need for a project; the extra pair of hands you need to complete a project or children to become playmates with yours. Neighbors also give you that much needed in-person, up-close social network.
Even if your home’s economic value has dropped, you continue to benefit from its emotional values of community, stability, security and success.
Thinking of buying a home? I can help you evaluate the emotional and monetary worth of homes and find a home that fits your values and lifestyle. Give your trusted real estate professional a call today.
Oct 21, 2020 | Home Seller Tips
Are you getting ready to sell your home? As soon as your listing goes live you’ll begin entertaining potential buyers who will be inspecting your home from top to bottom to ensure it meets their needs perfectly. Your bathrooms will be a key area of focus and you might be surprised to learn that the look and feel of these small rooms can make or break a sale.
In today’s blog post we’ll share three quick tips for renovating or upgrading your bathrooms to freshen up their look before potential buyers start viewing your home.
Clean Your Bathroom Out and Start Fresh
Before you begin, take a close look at your bathroom. Is there wallpaper on the walls? Are the sinks and faucets a bit dated and stained? Does the bathtub have a crack in it or is there some discoloration in the tiles or grout?
If your bathroom hasn’t been renovated in the past few years, there’s a good chance that the entire room needs a top-to-bottom overhaul. Clean all of the fixtures, materials, cabinets and even that dated flooring out and start from scratch.
Choose Your Color Palette Wisely
Before you begin you’ll want to have some sort of color palette in mind. Does the bathroom receive some sort of direct sunlight? Is there a skylight or a window in the room? Is there a color theme in other rooms in the house that you’ll need to match up with? Having some color ideas in mind will greatly assist with painting and adding shower curtains, mats, towels and more.
Don’t Skimp on Fixtures and Accessories
Remember that you’re selling the home and that you’re likely to recoup some or all of the costs of your bathroom renovations in the form of a bump in your selling price. Don’t buy cheap faucets or fixtures as buyers will be looking closely and they’ll want to ensure they’re buying a home that has quality building materials used throughout. If you’re going to upgrade your bathrooms, use materials that are high-quality but avoid anything too luxurious unless it fits with the rest of the decor.
Breathing some new life in to your bathrooms won’t break the bank, but it might just help secure your home sale. For more tips and strategies on how to ensure a quick and successful sale, contact your local real estate agent today.
Oct 9, 2020 | Home Seller Tips
Whether you’ve decided it’s time for an upgrade or you’re moving on to a new city, if you’re selling your home you may be wondering how you can boost its value before listing it up for sale.
In today’s blog post we’ll share four ways that you can spend a bit of time and money upgrading your home before it hits the local real estate market.
Spruce Up Your Landscaping
You’ll want your home to make a great first impression, and as such a great place to start is by sprucing up your lawn, gardens and other landscape features. Your grass should be a healthy green, free of weeds and freshly trimmed.
If you can, look to add seasonal flowers in your front gardens as this can add a bit of color to your home. Keep any shrubs or trees trimmed away from the home so that buyers can get a good look.
Apply A Fresh Coat Of Paint
Another excellent way to increase your home’s “curb appeal” is by applying a fresh coat of paint to the house, the trim around the windows and the front door.
Of course, painting a house is a big job so this might be one that is best left to a team of professionals. For added effect, replace the fixtures on the front door and pick up new house numbers.
Upgrade Your Kitchen Appliances
Many buyers will focus intently on your kitchen and the condition of everything from your flooring to your cupboards. If you have an older refrigerator or stove you’ll want to replace those with newer stainless-steel models.
You’ll also want to ensure that you have quality countertops – if you’re replacing them, consider going with granite as it’s popular with younger buyers.
Install A New Set Of Bathroom Fixtures
Finally, if you haven’t renovated your bathroom recently you’ll want to invest in modernizing your faucets, mirrors and other fixtures. The decor of your bathroom should match that in the rest of your home, but also stand out in its own unique way.
If you have an old bathtub with stained porcelain, consider replacing it with a glass-enclosed waterfall shower. Don’t forget about your light fixtures; if you find the bathroom is a bit dark, replace these with something that adds brightness.
For more information about the home staging and selling process, contact a local real estate professional today. Real estate agents are your best source for expert advice when selling a home, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call if you have questions.
