Strategies Used to Make Home Sellers More Money. Selling a home is one of those things that a lot of people think they can do and about 8% of them decide to go ahead and go for it. While a majority of the sellers who initially went the “For Sale By Owner” route ended up using a Realtor anyway, it’s not always a disaster to tackle it on your own. My question is, “Why?”. Yes, of course in almost every case, sellers sell on their own in order to save on the real estate commission. Unfortunately they don’t realize that the time and effort is well worth the cost and in many cases using a Realtor will net them more money. According to the latest survey put out by the National Association of Realtors, approximately 8% of all sellers in the country sold their home by FSBO. Let’s face it, we are good at what we study and work at in our daily lives.
Most of the hard working Realtors that I know (including myself) put in way more than 40 hours a week and they strive every day to get better at their craft. Let’s look at a scenario…. How Grading Your Yard Can Reduce Water Damage. Maybe you are looking at a pre-existing home to purchase. You consider room flow, price, location, age and condition. Does the house check off most of your boxes? Can you see yourself living here? Does its traditional charm appeal to you? Perhaps you are entertaining the notion of designing a home from the ground up. You look at land.
Does it get southern exposure? In either scenario, an often-overlooked issue remains vital to the safety and protection of any structure, the property slope. A Hole in the Bucket You can hang state-of-the-art gutters, put in a french drain, and purchase a sump pump with every imaginable updated feature, but if your home sits on land that slopes upward from its foundation, efficient protection against water damage can be as futile as trying to carry grains of rice in a bucket with holes in it.
The key is to ensure your home, or the property you are considering purchasing, has grading that slopes away from the home’s foundation. Under Pressure Tell-Tale Signs. 30 Plus Ways to Go Green with Your Home. Being Eco-Friendly conscious is becoming more and more popular these days and it should be. The more that we can improve the environment of our lives, the more we lessen our energy footprint. The bonus is – you save money! The little things that we do every day in our personal lives to be more “green” has an exponential affect when you multiply those efforts of others doing the same thing.
As a Realtor, I’m in different homes every day and I’m starting to see the amount of home owners going green grow on a daily basis. Eco-Friendly Materials Using sustainable building materials will lessen the impact of construction on the environment. Roofing Lighter colored roofing absorbs less heat, reducing cooling costs in the summer. Windows By incorporating high energy efficient windows in your home with gas filler between the panes and low emittance glass coatings you’ll do a better job at keeping the heat outside during the summer and inside during the winter.
Sheathing Trusses and Pre-Hung Doors. 24 Hour Showing Notice Will Make Your Home Harder to Sell. 40 Plus Tips for Selling Your Home This Spring. Although our local market has been booming through the Winter, the big home buying season is closing in. The first day of Spring is on March 20th which gives everyone about 2 months to get their home ready to sell. Here’s a comprehensive list of things you could do that covers just about everything for selling in the Spring….
Spring Clean This kind of goes without saying but I show a lot of homes. No one will be attracted to a home that is dirty. Deodorize Smell is one of our most sensitive senses and we’ve all seen the commercials about being smell blind. Make as Many Repairs as You Can In the next section you’ll read why getting a pre-home inspection is a good idea.
Make Small But Effective Upgrades Buyers look at everything and you will too when you start looking for your next home. Caulking One of the biggest interior fails is caulking or the lack there of. Paint Oh, everyone loves to paint (kidding). Unload Some Furniture We all have stuff in our house that we don’t use. Staging Lighting. 8 Costly Mistakes Home Sellers Make. 6 Essential Tips for Selling a Vacant House. Home sellers often will ask the question of whether or not they should sell a home which is vacant. There may be many reasons it is vacant, including it may have been an investment property and the tenants moved out or the sellers have already identified another home and have subsequently moved. Selling a vacant home has many considerations, and one of the biggest concerns is vandalism.
You will find suggestions and tips for selling a vacant home below. Keep Utilities On One of the biggest considerations is to keep the utilities on, especially the electricity. If it has been turned off, and there are showing around 5 pm and it is pitch dark, the home is not going to show very well. Most agents have a flashlight on their phone but that is not the ideal way to present a home to a potential buyer. Keep interior lights on a timer in the home and turn them on at night. With regards to keeping water on, that is a conversation between the seller and the Realtor. Maintain Exterior of Home Summary. How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell - Realty Times. Although blind luck can sometimes play a part in helping a home sell quickly, most of the time it is the result of hard work and a well-developed plan. Since most areas usually have multiple homes for sale across a range of prices, attracting a buyer will require your home to stand out from the crowd.
The following tips will explain how to get your home ready to sell and help you complete the process sooner rather than later. Make The Home Neutral When potential sellers visit the home they want to envision living in the home. However, this can be a tough task if they are surrounded by photos and personal items that all reflect you and your loved ones. Put away the personal stuff along with your heirlooms that speak to your personality and tastes. The idea is to create an environment that a buyer looks around and thinks “it would be SO EASY to live here!” It is also a good idea to have neutral colors. Take Some Time to Let Go Physical Actions to Improve the Appeal of Your Home. Increase Your Chances of Buying Your First Home.
A natural progression in life is to own your own home and if you’re doing this for the first time, there may be some things that you can do to improve your chances. Just like I don’t know how to change the transmission in my Tahoe, if you’re not in the real estate or mortgage business you may miss something. Here are some thoughts that will hopefully help you reach your home buying goals.
Use the advice to increase the odds of buying your first home successfully with as little stress as possible. Reduce Your Debt Your credit score will probably be the first thing that a loan officer will look at so managing your debt is key to having a good score. Increase Your Savings One of the major factors in buying your first home is cash.
Get Pre-Approved When you do find a home that you fall in love with, you’ll become laser-focused to get that home under contract. There is a significant difference between a pre-approval and pre-qualification when getting a mortgage. Use a Realtor. Tips For Screening And Placing Tenants In Massachusetts. Placing and Screening Tenants In Massachusetts Massachusetts is consistently one of the most “tenant friendly” states in America. In this post we’re going to break down some of the common pitfalls that can put a landlord in hot water. I work at RentPrep which is one of the few tenant screening services that hires, trains, and employs FCRA Certified Screeners to run reports and answer calls. This gives a unique ability to identify states that are more stringent than others.
We will work our way through the tenant screening process and point out possible tripping hazards. Let’s begin with the application process. Application Fees In Massachusetts Most states will allow you to charge an application fee to prospective renters to cover the costs of a background check. In Massachusetts, landlords cannot charge any kind of application fee. This means you cannot charge an application fee, pet fee, move in fee or any fee that is not included above. Running A Background Check In Massachusetts. Should I Rent or Sell My House. If you are thinking about leaving your old house behind for a different one – to upgrade, to downsize, to relocate, or for some other reason – you are probably thinking the same thing most people in your situation do: “Should I rent my house, or should I sell it?”
As with so many big decisions in life, there is no easy answer to this one. Renting out the home and selling the house each offer advantages, and potential drawbacks, that you must weigh carefully before making a decision. There can be pros and cons to both selling or renting your home. Rent Your House or Sell It? Which of these options is best will depend on some factors. You should consider each of them, and weight them against your personal preferences, to determine which is best for you. Things to Consider About Renting Your Home 1. You need to know if renting out your home will generate positive cash flow, or if it will slowly (or quickly) suck you dry. Expenses when renting a home: 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Final Thoughts. Top 25 Real Estate Blogs To Follow In 2018 | RentPrep. Top 26 Real Estate Articles of the (Fourth Quarter of 2017) We collaborate with real estate agents all across the US in an effort to analyzes trends in the residential real estate industry, promote cross country referrals, and network on behalf of our seller clients.
At the end of the fourth quarter of 2017, we've curated the best real estate articles for home buyers and home sellers. 1. Paul Sian - United Real Estate Home Connections Your offer has been accepted, inspections are complete, and it is time for your final walkthrough. Paul Sian of United Real Estate Home Connections provides some great tips on the purpose of a final walkthrough when buying a home. A final walkthrough is not required, but is highly recommended to ensure that the condition of the home is satisfactory to the buyer and no major damage has been done prior to closing. Once the home closes escrow or if the seller did not disclose certain material facts, any unsatisfactory conditions are the responsibility of the buyer. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
Home Additions You Should Consider. The process of determining which home additions you should consider can be stressful. You are going to spend a lot of money, and you will have to put your faith most likely in strangers who will assure you everything will be completed to your total satisfaction. Whether you are putting an addition on your house or are just getting a new furnace, your life will be disrupted for a limited amount of time. When the dust settles and the strangers who have been walking through your house are gone, you will have a home that is hopefully better than it was before you started. It is understandable to be hesitant to put additional money into your home. You cannot be certain you will not relocate in the future, and you want to recoup your investment when you sell. Whether you are investing in your home for resale or are just making improvements for yourself, there are some wise upgrades and remodels that are worth your time and resources and may make you money in the long term.
Room Additions. Why Won’t My House Sell? – Houses in the Sunshine State! It can be quite frustrating to see minimal movement on your house yet it has been on the market for a while. For some people, it can even turn to be a desperate situation in case the selling was meant to avoid foreclosure. If your home isn’t getting good offers, perhaps something is wrong. However, there could be endless reasons why your house isn’t selling.
Here are some reasons why that could be the case. Priced Too High Establishing the most suitable asking price for your home is perhaps the most important angle of home selling. In case your home gets listed at a price way above its market value, you are likely to miss out on many good prospective buyers. Using Bad Photos Homes that only display a single photo tend to be passed by while those with dozens of them get noticed. Having Wrong Agent Finding a reliable good real estate agent is essential if you want to experience a painless house sale transaction. Old House Appliances Home Needs Some TLC Home Too Personalized Like this: Cheerful Winter Decorating Using Danish Hygge - Harmony Realty Triangle.
Now that the holidays are over, the festive decorations are put away. But that doesn't mean your home needs to be sparse and bare. The Danes, apparently the happiest people in the world, have got this winter thing down. And we can learn a few things from their tradition of Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). While I haven't been able to put my finger on an exact definition, I like this one from Hyggehouse.com "Some also refer to hygge as an “art of creating intimacy” (either with yourself, friends and your home). While there’s no one English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe the idea of hygge such as cosiness, charm, happiness, ‘contentness’, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness. " We're going to use that coziness to inform some post-holiday decorating to make our homes full of warmth and love.
Because a Hygge home is cozy, bringing low lighting through fireplaces or other means is a common theme. Don't Forget the Dining Room. Real Estate Marketing Tips For Sellers - Lakeland Real Estate. There’s no single, tried-and-true method when it comes to real estate marketing. However, with so many ways to get out the word about a property, it can be challenging to find the right method to make sure your property is seen by the right potential customers. After almost 20 years of experience I have learned what works, and what does not when it comes to market your home for sale. Check out these top and innovative marketing ideas when selling a home. Hire a real estate agent Choose your real estate agent wisely by interviewing at least three agents. Make sure he or she is a full time Realtor with their own website and a strong social media presence.
Real estate photography Real estate professionals have known for years about the importance of photos in real estate marketing. Single Property website Buyers don’t just buy listings, they buy lifestyles. Professional website For a real estate agency, like ours, a website is the online face of our business. Social media Video walkthroughs. Buzz Worthy Real Estate Articles | December 2017. The holidays have passed and, yes, I took a few days off. Now, it’s time to go back to work! I am fortunate enough to be in the mix of some of the best Realtors in the country who put out great real estate content on a regular basis. Here are my picks for the best real estate articles in December 2017…….
I might be a little biased here but this is one of my all time favorites for not only December. Years ago I used to own a website called homesandfood.com so I get exactly where Lynn Pineda is coming from with her take on how our senses play into our everyday lives (including real estate). Check out Lynn’s article on What Is It About Food and Real Estate That Makes Our Senses Ignite? This one’s a keeper! Yes, I know this isn’t an article but I thought this video would be a great addition to the post. I love everything about this post. Check this one out! The typical buyer who goes on the net to look at properties is wanting to do just that – look at properties. What does it cost you? 10 Ways to Add Instant Curb Appeal to Your Home.
What Every Loan Officer Wished Their Home Buyers Knew. Great Real Estate Blogs From 2017. 7 Undeniable Reasons Why Blogging Should Be In EVERY Realtor’s 2018 Game Plan - Noelle Hartt. What is a VA Loan and How Do They Work. Buying Etiquette 101 | Rules to Follow when Buying a Home. December 2017 Real Estate Roundup. First Time Home Buyer? Steps to simplify the home buying process!
Winning Social Media Strategies for Selling Homes. What Is It About Food And Real Estate That Will Make Your Senses Ignite? How To Turn Your Home Into A Smart Home. Real Estate Articles December 2017. The Best Home Improvement Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Remodeling. Buying A House Together as an Unmarried Couple - AgentLinkus Real Estate Forums. Selling House During Divorce: "Should I Sell My House Quick or Wait?" Buying a House Before Marriage. How To Reupholster Chairs - Home Staging | Eileen Anderson, Realtor. Step 6 - Handling Showings to Sell Your Home. 10 Simple DIY Home Maintenance Tips. Step 5 - Marketing Your Home to Sell. Ten Tips for Relocating with Pets in Mind. 202 Must-Follow Real Estate Professionals On Twitter In 2018. What are the Pros and Cons of Buying a Home in a Gated Community? Days on Market Data, What Does it Mean to A Home Buyer. Flooding Issues Homeowners Should Be Aware Of. Selling Your Home To Millennials - Lakeland Real Estate.
The Best Mortgage Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Home Financing. 70+ Personal Stories on How to Make Serious Money Online! The Best Home Selling Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Selling A Home. What NOT to do Before Closing on a Home that Could Derail Financing. 5 Ways Real Estate Agents Deceive Their Seller Clients. Buzz Worthy Real Estate Articles | November 2017. Should You Improve Your Kitchen When Selling Your Home? by Anita Clark Realtor - Anita Clark Realtor - Exposure. Do Home Buyer's have to get a Home Inspection? How Residential Real Estate Differs From Commercial Real Estate Transactions. November 2017 Real Estate Roundup. Pre-Marketing Your Home During The Holiday Season - Lakeland Real Estate. Pros and Cons of Using a Lockbox. Why Your Real Estate Agent Should Attend The Home Inspection. Real Estate and Millennials. What Home Should You Buy in Each Stage of Your Life? Home Ownership is Key to Wealth Building. The Best Home Buying Blogs From 2017 | Advice For Buying A Home.
Real Estate Articles November 2017. Mortgage Tips for First Time Home Buyers. Key Bathroom Updates to Sell Your Home Faster. Top Interview Questions To Ask When Hiring Realtors | Eileen Anderson, Realtor | Berkshire Hathaway. Best SEO Predictions For 2018 of 53 Expert Bloggers & Webmasters. What Credit Score You Need to Buy a Home. Preparing and Selling an Inherited Home. Top Homeowner Regrets - How to Avoid Buyer Remorse - Frederick Real Estate Online. 5 Tips to Sell your Home During the Holidays - Lakeland Real Estate. LUXURY RANCH RENOVATIONS - Shannon Holmes. Price You Set for Your Home Determines 9 Aspects of Selling Your Home. 6 Reasons to Own a Home - Harmony Realty Triangle. What Not to Do Before Buying a Home. Statistically speaking, many Realtor real estate market reports are unreliable and misleading. Understanding Your Relationship with your Broker-Seller Agency. 10 Things A Real Estate Agent Should Never Do. How to Make Your House FHA Mortgage Eligible.
First Time Home Buyer? Steps to simplify the home buying process! Real Estate Leads: 100+ Ways To Get Buyer & Seller Leads In 2017. Building Relationships Should Be Your Number 1 Real Estate Goal. When It Makes Sense To Not Use A Real Estate Agent. 9 Reasons To Buy A Home In The Fall. Ready For Staging: 4 Repairs You Need Before Selling Your Home | Tenax Real Estate & Investment Properties. What Happens if a Wellington Florida Seller Receives Multiple Offers? Price Your Home so You Don't Leave Cash on the Table - Harmony Realty Triangle. Virtual Home Staging For Real Estate: Worth It? | Surge Realty Solutions. 10 Easy Home Staging Tips. Solar Panels: Are They Worth the Cost? Why Do Real Estate Agents Hold Open Houses on Behance. Are Zillow Home Value Estimates Accurate. Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Open House. Selling a Home Without a Real Estate Agent Might Not Save Money. Zillow Estimates: Accurate or Inaccurate?
Selling a Home Vacant vs Occupied. 6 Tips For Making Your Home-Buying Process Easier - Credit Sesame. Today’s Top 5 Concerns Home Buyers Are Worried About - Credit Sesame. Top Real Estate Influencers Share Their Favorite Marketing Ideas -- OutboundEngine. 4 Ways a Loan Officer Can Work Better with Real Estate Agents. 5 Common Real Estate Ads To Be Wary Of.