Archive for the ‘Selling’ Category

Tricks to Help Sell Your Home Faster — and For More Money

Friday, October 26th, 2018

Selling a home is often harder than what people realize. They often envision that they are going to put their house on the market and within a few days they will have someone that loves their home and wants it for the price that they have listed. That is hardly ever the case. Most people will find that their homes sit on the market for a few months before they find someone interested, and chances are the person is not going to pay the asking price, depending upon how bad they want this home.

For those who are in the process of selling a home, what can you do in order to sell your home faster? Better yet, what can you do that is going to sell this home faster and get you more money for this home? There are several tricks that people are using in order to do just that. And if you use these tricks as well, you may find that your home disappears off the market sooner than what you anticipated, which is always great news for sellers!

Tend to the Outside of the Home

You have heard it before; curb appeal is everything when it comes to making a great first impression. This is why you should always tend to the outside of the home to make it look great. This does not mean that you have to invest a lot of money into paint or the like to spruce it up. A few ideas:

  • Pressure wash the driveway to make it look great
  • Wash down the porches and decks to make these look fresh
  • Mulch around the plants that are in the yard
  • Mow the yard and keep it looking great
  • Clean the outside windows to allow the light to shine in when people are viewing your home

Small Changes Can Make a Difference

Those who are trying to sell their home will find that even the smallest of changes are going to make thedifference in getting your home sold faster and for money! Here are several small changes that are not going to break your bank and are simple enough to do on your own that render results.

  1. Put new hardware on the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen. This can make even the older cabinets look newer, which is what buyers like!
  2. Put in new light bulbs that are higher wattage to allow the rooms to be bathed in light. When a home is lighter, buyers are more willing to buy these homes.
  3. Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls, around the doors and the like. Be sure to use a neutral colour so that potential buyers can see just what they could do with this home.
  4. Change out the door hinges on the front door and even the knob to give this a fresh look.
  5. Put up new blinds in the windows if these are broken or discoloured with age.
  6. Be sure to paint the inside of closets a bright white to make them look larger, a large closet is one of the biggest components for several buyers.
  7. Put a new welcome mat at the front door…it makes your home appear fresher!
  8. Make sure the outlets in the house and the switches are coordinating.

Décor Choices Can Make All the Difference

While you have your own taste in décor, did you know that it is the décor choices that you make that can affect the sale of a home? Many people go into a home that is not decorated in a way that they like, they see a hassle when they see this, and they are not going to buy or even if they do they are going to offer a much lower amount than what the seller wants. Here are a few tricks that can make your home a blank canvas:

  • Keep furniture in the home that is bland and very generic
  • When painting walls, be sure to go with a neutral colour
  • Keep fresh flowers in the home that are white or soft pastel colours as this is inviting
  • Get the clutter out of your home…clutter can make a home that is exquisite look like it is falling down!

Clean…and Clean Some More

The best thing that you can do in order to get your home sold sooner and for more money is to clean…and keep cleaning. Be sure that you are:

  1. Vacuuming on a daily basis
  2. Have carpets and rugs steam cleaned before showing the home
  3. Plug in some air fresheners in the home that is going to help it smell clean. Tip: many people find that if they use an Apple Cinnamon smell in the home it will lead to a sale sooner.
  4. Ensure that closets and the laundry room are neat and tidy as these are going to be major areas that buyers assess.

When it comes to anything that you do to the home in order to sell this sooner, remember that you do not want to invest more money into the property, as you may not make this back. Thus, keep it simple and cheap when making improvements.

One of the best pieces of advice that you can take is to work with a realtor. A real estate agent has worked in the field and knows what will sell. He or she can walk through the home with you and decide what needs to be done, what can be left and the like. Their goal is to get your home sold, and if you are willing to take their advice you may find that you sell this home sooner and for more money.

For those who are selling, these tips may be one way to get ahead of the competition in the area…and get your home sold sooner! Contact me today for a FREE HOME EVALUATION!

 

Location, Location, Location!

Friday, October 19th, 2018

How to Choose the Neighbourhood That Best Suits Your Lifestyle

It is common for first-time home buyers to spend ample time focusing on finding the perfect home, but even an ideal home will be less than perfect if it is not in a great community. Therefore, it’s a good idea for first-time buyers to first invest a bit of energy in searching out the right neighbourhood. Ideally, the local area that is selected will perfectly suit the entire family’s lifestyle, and there are a few factors to consider when narrowing down the options.

How to Choose the Neighbourhood That Best Suits Your Lifestyle

It is common for first-time home buyers to spend ample time focusing on finding the perfect home, but even an ideal home will be less than perfect if it is not in a great community. Therefore, it’s a good idea for first-time buyers to first invest a bit of energy in searching out the right neighbourhood. Ideally, the local area that is selected will perfectly suit the entire family’s lifestyle, and there are a few factors to consider when narrowing down the options.

 

The Location of the Community

After buying a new home in a lovely neighbourhood, some people will spend a considerable amount of time enjoying life in their new space. However, all will need to venture out of that small community from time to time. With this in mind, the ideal community is one that is located next to shops, restaurants, medical centers and more that can meet the home buyer’s needs. People will generally enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle when they have access to almost everything needed within a few miles of their home.

 

The Amenities and Services Available

More than that, the community itself may need to have specific amenities in it. For example, some neighbourhoods have a community center, nature trails, play areas for the kids and other similar amenities. They may also have a far more active community spirit, and the neighbourhood may host parades, picnics, festivals and other local events that can bring residents together. Not all of these are important to all buyers, but some may be far more important than others to certain individuals. Keep in mind that those amenities and services that are not available directly inside the community may be available in the larger community, and the home buyer should consider all of this when deciding where to buy a new home.

 

The Residents in the Community 

Another point to consider is the general makeup of the community. Some communities may have a quieter ambiance, and this may be more common with more established neighbourhoods that have residents who have lived in the area for years. Other communities may be more appealing to families with younger kids or who are about to start a family, and this may be due to proximity to schools, the kid-friendly amenities in the area and more. Most home buyers will find that they feel more at home living in a community when they choose an area where other residents are in the same general stage of life as they are in.

It can take time to narrow down the choices to find the right community to live in. These factors must all be considered in combination with the type, style and affordability of housing in the community. While some home buyers will search for a neighbourhood on their own, others may find it easier to work with a real estate agent. Ready to learn more about the different type of neighbourhoods in the area that may be most suitable for your needs and preferences? Get in touch today!

Questions To Ask Your Agent About Selling Your Home

Friday, October 5th, 2018

If you are planning to sell your home, it is important to hire the right agent. A good agent has the experience that can help you sell your house faster and for a lot more money as well. You can visit online sites, search for good agents in your area and read some of the reviews that they’ve received from older clients. You can then decide whether you want to hire their services or not. Here are a few questions to ask an agent while selling your home:

  1. What Are Your Qualifications?

The agent you hire should have a state license. If they belong to any local real estate trade associations, they will have access to multiple listing services. This means that they would be able to list your home on various sites which will get it the visibility it needs.

  1. How Many Sales Did You Close The Previous Year?

Even though past success doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a quick sale, it does give you some assurance that the professional knows what he/she is doing. Inquiring about the price range the agent has sold other properties is necessary. You need someone who knows exactly what features buyers in that specific income bracket are looking for.

  1. Do You Have Local Real Estate Experience?

Hiring the services of a local real estate professional can prove to be a huge advantage, as they have the knowledge of all upcoming developments and amenities that may have an impact on the value of your home. You will want the services of an agent who knows the market in your neighborhood. The agent you hire not only has to sell your house but also your neighborhood as well.

  1. How Do You Zero-In On The Right Listing Price?

The money aspect and your agents negotiating abilities will decide what listing price will work best in the existing market. If your house is priced much above the market rate it just won’t sell and will be a turn-off for potential buyers. Contrastingly if you price it too low you will end up getting far less than what it is actually worth. Make sure that the agent you hire has the solid market knowledge and has handled sales of properties similar to yours in the recent past.

  1. Will I Be Working Directly With You?

It is important for you to know whether you’ll be working with just one specific agent or some member of his team. There are both good and bad aspects to each; for example, if you’re working with a team of agents, it makes the showings a lot easier. However specific requests which are made by the seller may go unnoticed within a team.

  1. How Much Money Is It Going To Cost Me To Sell My Home?

Knowing the costs that you will end up paying for the broker’s commission, closing fees and any other additional expenses can help you plan accordingly. You can also compare one agent’s charges with another.

  1. What Sales Strategy Will You Use?

Every agent should have a written down strategy for how they are going to market your house, from social media to listing services to open houses. Relying on mailers isn’t enough. Consider using the services of an agent that provides professional photography, a custom designed website or even videos.

  1. What Do I Need To Focus On While Readying My House For Sale?

Take their advice and make additional upgrades or repairs, follow other useful hacks they suggest for impactful yet easy-on-the-budget improvements. If they suggest staging, you might want to consider using it. At times, just de-cluttering and cleaning may get the job done.

  1. What Will Be Our Mode Of Communication?

It’s important to ensure that the agent uses the same mode of communication that you prefer. For example, if you prefer a telephonic conversation over texting, the agent you choose should be able to cater to that need. The communication frequency and method between you and the agent are important aspects when it comes to making a successful house sale.

Getting answers to these questions and any other relevant ones, are crucial to the success of your house sale. Start off with a FREE home evaluation!