May 20, 2021 | Home Seller Tips
Curb appeal is important in the home sales process, and this is because it will impact the overall first impression that potential home buyers have about the property. Some homeowners can easily spend a small fortune and a considerable amount of time improving curb appeal, but others may be looking for faster and easier results. The good news is that boosting curb appeal is easy and affordable to do when these three tips are followed.s
Spruce Up The Front Door
The front door and patio area are focal points for those driving by the home, and this area receives even more scrutiny by those home buyers who walk up to the home to take a tour of the interior. Re-staining or re-painting the front door can be highly beneficial to dressing up the look of this focal area, and this can give the impression that the home is well-maintained and stylish. In addition, consider replacing the front door mat and hardware on the door for improved results and added aesthetic appeal.
Power Wash The Exterior Of The Home
Beautification efforts for the front of the home would not be complete without spending time cleaning up the space, and one of the best ways to clean the exterior of a property thoroughly is by power washing it. Power washing the exterior may include cleaning the exterior siding material of the home, the patio, the driveway, the sidewalk and even the fencing. This can give the entire area a fresher and more appealing look.
Add Color To The Flower Beds
Some homeowners may not have funds or time available to fully revamp the landscaping, but showing the flower beds some attention can pay off. After weeding the flower beds, add some fresh, brightly colored blooms to the area to dress up curb appeal. Homeowners can finish off the look by spreading a new layer of mulch across the flower beds after the flowers have been planted.
Curb appeal is vital to selling a home quickly and for top dollar. Enhancing curb appeal can cost a small fortune and could take weeks to do, but even these small and affordable efforts can give homeowners great results with minimal time and money required. Homeowners who are thinking about selling their property soon can contact a real estate professional for personal assistance with their staging and home improvement efforts.
Apr 9, 2021 | Home Seller Tips
When you are preparing to list your home for sale, you may take various steps to stage the interior so that it is appealing to a potential buyer. In addition to various steps you may take with staging the interior, you want to pay attention to your yard as well. During the spring months, many yards look fresh and vibrant, but they also need some extra care in order to boost curb appeal and make a great first impression on buyers.
Focus On Your Flower Beds
Whether you have one small flower bed or several sprawling areas of beds, you should ensure that all of the vegetation looks fresh and tidy. Trim bushes, and add bright spring annuals to brighten up the space. Pull weeds, and add a layer of fresh mulch to your flower beds to give them a finished, well-maintained look.
Keep The Lawn Neat And Tidy
During the spring months, your lawn may revive from its dormant winter state, and you may find it growing rapidly. The green hue of a spring lawn can have a powerful benefit to curb appeal, but you want to keep the lawn trimmed and edged regularly to give it a manicured appearance. This can also minimize the impact of the look of weeds that may occasionally crop up throughout the spring months.
Pay Attention To Your Patio And Entryway
While your vegetation will require some effort to maintain while you list your home, you do not want to overlook your patio and entryway. These are often visible from the street, and they will be viewed up-close when buyers tour your home. Ensure that the area is clean, and power wash it if necessary. Consider updating front door hardware and the entry mat if they appear worn or dated. You may also need to sweep these areas regularly while your home is listed for sale.
Staging your property can help you to sell your property more quickly and for top dollar, but your staging efforts should not be focused entirely on the interior of your home. Your landscaping also requires extra effort when you are getting your home ready to sell, and these tips can all help you to spruce up your landscaping with beautiful results. You may seek more customized information tailored to your property when you speak with a real estate agent about listing your home.
Mar 23, 2021 | Home Seller Tips
Today’s home buyers are savvier about their buying options than ever before. They are able to research prices, browse listings, and investigate other important factors before even making the first call to a real estate agent. So professional photography and video can make the difference between your home getting a second look or getting skipped. In today’s blog post we’ll explore how professionally-shot aerial photos and videos can help you get your home sold that much quicker.
Buyers Love Having a Birds-Eye View
It’s increasingly likely that buyers will look for aerial photography to help them make their buying decisions. Just like professional ground-level photos of the home and property, and like the video tour that really gives that first-hand feel, aerial shots are something buyers like when evaluating properties.
People enjoy looking at aerial content because it gives them a new perspective. That helps them feel good about their choice to pursue a property. Plus, they take you seriously when you take marketing your property seriously using quality material.
Quality Material Makes Your Property Look Good
Professionals create quality products. They have the skills, tools, and professional eye to make your property and its best features look amazing. Quality marketing materials can even shorten sale time and raise the final list price, too.
Aerial footage is especially effective when topography, land features, and amenities are best displayed from above. Professional aerial shots can really enhance the overall impression of your property.
Professionals Are Certified
The use of unmanned aerial systems – what we commonly call “drones” – is becoming more frequent in the production of commercial photos and videos. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t issues.
Current Federal Aviation Administration regulation requires that UAS equipment be certified and operated by a certificated pilot when used for commercial purposes. This means that you can’t just buy a drone and take pictures to sell your house. You can’t pay your real estate agent to take them either, unless they also meet the FAA regulations. Hiring a certified operator can save you fines or even legal trouble down the road.
When you’re ready to take marketing your home to the next level, contact a reputable real estate agency to get started. Professionally shot aerial photos and videos can really make the difference for a prospective buyer when they make the list of “must-see” listings.
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.
