SELLING DURING THE SUMMER SIZZLE! (PART 2)

It is summertime and the children are out of school.  Thoughts turn to vacations and trips to see family and friends both near and far.  Some will head to the mountains while others will bask on America's beaches.  Still others will pack up their family and relocate to a new town, a new school, and make new friends.

In Part 2 of SELLING DURING THE SUMMER SIZZLE we'll explore 5 more things you can do to make the move effectively and efficiently.

6. Stage your home to reflect summer.

     Staging is a means to an end.  Staging enhances the appearance of a home and creates a positive impact on potential buyers.   

     Staging enables buyers to experience how the home reflects the summer season.  Ways for you to do that include placing bight flowers on the dining room table, planting bright flowers in a window box and even having summer scented candles out.

7. Hire a proven real estate professional

     Why is choosing a proven agent vital to the success of the sale?  Because choosing the wrong real estate agent can be the "kiss of death" for both seller and buyer.

     Knowing how to interview the real estate agent is a skill that must be learned because asking or not asking the right questions can make a huge difference when it comes to selling your home.  Here are 5 important things to consider:

    1. What proven real estate marketing strategies sell homes?

    2. Do you use those strategies?

    3. What tools do you use to determine listing price to your sellers?

    4. What is your list price to sale price ratio?

    5. How long do your listings take to sell?

    Remember, not all real estate professionals are the same.  They use different techniques for pricing and marketing.  It is up to the seller to determine which real estate professional will best serve their need.

8. Consider a pre-listing home inspection

    Do I really need a pre-listing home inspection?  After all I am selling the home.   The answer is yes, unless you are selling it "as-is".   

    There are many benefits to a pre-listing home inspection, one of the most important is it can reduce the chance of a buyer walking away from the deal after completing their own inspection.  

    A home inspection is a pro-active step on your part to fix or repair items in your home that may directly affect on the sale price of your home.  In most cases, having the pre-listing inspection will be well worth the cost in the long term.

9. Price Right...from the beginning!

   We have all seen or heard of the TV show, The Price Is Right, in which contestants must guess the actual retail price of an item.  

  

   Generally speaking, two major factors influence whether a home sells or not. The first, Is the home getting enough exposure on the market?  The second is equally important, Is it being marketed properly?

    Pricing a home incorrectly often results in the home being on the market for an extensive period of time or buyers making lower offers which are more aligned with acceptable market value.

    The bottom line...price right from the beginning!

10. Its Showing Time!

      As a seller, you have moved through the process of preparing your home for sale.  Now is the time to throw open the doors and allow potential buyers the opportunity to view your home.

      There are a few things you can do during the summer time for preparing to show your home.  Below are a few ideals worth considering:

      1. Put out a refreshing beverage for potential buyers

      2. Turn on all the lights

      3. Open blinds and/or curtains to let in natural light

      4. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature

      5. Clean up after children and/or pets.

Summertime is a great time to sell your home.  People are busy enjoying the vacationing and enjoying the change to a warmer climate, so it is important for you, the seller, to put your best foot forward from the get-go.

These 10 tips will make a difference in respect to the amount a home sells for and the time it takes to sell.

    

SELLING DURING THE SUMMER SIZZLE! (Part 1)

It is hard to believe but summer is just around the corner.  Some of you will be relocating, taking a new position for your company in a distant town.  Some may be thinking of downsizing to a smaller home now that the children are grown and raising their own families.  While still others want to use the proceeds to explore the world.  Regardless of your motive, it is important to not wait until the last minute to prepare to sell your home.  Here are 10 tips to make your summer home sale sizzle.

1. Create Summertime for the exterior of your home!

    Regardless of the season, the exterior and curb appeal of your home are your first chance to sell your home.  What can you do to prepare it for summer?  Here are a few suggestions.

   

    1. Mow the lawn

    2. Water the lawn to maintain growth and color

    3. Trim your trees and shrubs

    4. Weed and mulch those flower beds and around small trees.

    5. Do touch up on any exterior areas that need a "fresh coat of paint".

2. Accent the outdoor living space

   Summertime and outdoors go together like milk and cookies.  Highlighting your outdoor space is a great way to excite potential buyers. Stage your outdoor area for fun and relaxation.   Help buyers see themselves in the space enjoying the BBQ, the large lanai or patio, pool area, a swing or hammock,  etc.

3. Do those necessary repairs prior to listing

   Take a walk around your home and through each room with a friend.  Write down things that you see that need repair or just a little TLC.  Compare your list with your friend's.  They will see what a potential buyer will see even though you may have not given it a second thought. 

   Homeowners who make the necessary repairs prior to listing will likely end up with a higher sale price, regardless of the season.  

   A few common "necessary repairs" may include a broken window, peeling or discolored siding, no gutters or downspouts, leaky roof or broken roofing tiles.  By doing the repairs before listing you will keep the buyers focused on the home and not distracted by the needed repairs. 

 4. Keep the house cool

    Don't let the long, hot summer ruin your chances of selling your home.  During the summer months be sure to keep your home cool, at least when buyers will be touring it.  If you don't have central air conditioning it is still important to focus on cooling the home.

    Ways to keep your home cool without central air conditioning may include window air conditioners, ceiling fans, turn off unnecessary lights and draw the blinds prior to showing, and yes, even a floor fan.

    If you do have central air conditioning, be sure it is functioning properly and has recently been serviced by a professional HVAC technician.  A faulty system can mean big repairs so avoid that by having periodic servicing of your central HVAC system.

5. Clean the Clutter

   Here is a "hot" tip (no pun intended) to help you sell your home in the summer months -clean the clutter!  Clutter is a distraction to buyers who can not visualize the true potential of the home through the haze of personal things.  

   Decluttering also reduces potential damage to true family heirlooms that may fall prey to a bump or nudge.  Place those items in a storage unit, basement or garage until the house is sold.

   Cleaning the clutter is one of the best tips when staging a home on a budget.

Selling During the Summer Sizzle (part 2) next week.

   

4 Questions First Time Home Buyers Need To Answer!

So, you think it is time to buy your first home.  Here are four questions as a new home buyer you should answer even before looking at your first property.

1. HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR THIS?

    Single or married, it does not matter; before you think about buying you have to take a hard look at your finances to determine how much house you can afford.  You will want to make a list of your income and expenses to determine a comfortable mortgage payment.

    You can do this by getting pre-approved from a mortgage lender.  Shopping around for the rate and terms is in your best interest.

2. WHO WILL REPRESENT YOU?  

   Statistics demonstrate that most people begin their search for a home via the internet long before they decide to buy.  Those early searches help buyers see what the current market has to offer. A real estate professional can help you navigate showings, negotiate on your behalf and manage paperwork.  

   Be a wise buyer and interview several real estate agents before selecting the person who will assist you in making one of your largest financial investments.

3.  WHAT DO YOU WANT IN YOUR DREAM HOME?

   This is your moment to explore what you want in a home.  How many bedrooms, bathrooms, with or without a garage.  What style of home - ranch, Cape Cod, modern or contemporary?  Will it be move-in ready or will it require a little TLC from you? 

   It is important to be realistic in your expectations and what you are able to afford.  Your real estate agent will work with you to guide you in this regard.  

4.  YOU FOUND THE HOME...NOW WHAT?

   Congratulations, you've found your dream home.  Now your real estate agent will help you prepare an offer.  He or she will continue to negotiate the terms and potential counter offers.  When you have agreed on everything, you'll  deposit your earnest money, arrange for a home inspection and appraisal, secure financing and order home insurance and a home warranty.

 Your agent will be there with you throughout the whole process - between offer and closing - to keep you moving forward and on track.

Answering these 4 questions will go a long way in making your home buying experience enjoyable and fun.  


 

YOUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT

DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT?

No, this is not a trick question!  I say that because there are some people who have invested significant amounts of their personal fortunes in acquiring many expensive objects of art, rare bottles of wine, vintage automobiles, stamps, coins...well you get the idea.

But for many others their biggest investment is a little closer to home.  Oops, did I give away the answer?  Yes, it is your home.  It does not matter whether you are single, just married or thinking about retirement, you need a place to call home. 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INVESTMENT

Remember all those moves you made and the amount of time, energy and sweat equity you put into maintaining your home?  It is clear that the place you "hang your hat" represents a huge investment on your part.

When the time comes and you must sell your home it is obvious that you anticipate receiving a sizable return on your investment.  Increasing the marketable value of your home needs to be one of your long-term projects.  The remodeling and renovations you made when you moved in represented your stamp of ownership.  Let's consider a few ways to make your investment pay forward.

THE LONG VIEW 

• Establish a Home Quarterly Preventive Maintenance Schedule:  All residences suffer "normal wear and tear".  By establishing a quarterly PM schedule you can stay ahead of repairs and make changes and updates before they escalate into major expenditures. TIPS: 1) Use a permanent maker to date installation of major appliances 2) Clean lint screens and exhaust ports on your drier.  Accumulation of lint can create a potential fire hazard. 3) Have the central air system serviced twice a year to include a check of the compressor, air handler and duct work.
• Take care of the roof: How old is your roof?  Always good to know before you purchase your home or sell it.  Your roof suffers abuse from wind, rain, snow and variations in temperatures.  Keep it clear of over-hanging tree limbs; keep gutters and down spouts free of leaves, sticks and other junk.  Have a periodic inspection of your roof by a reputable roofing contractor.
• Maintain curb appeal:  What is your "curb appeal" saying to potential buyers?  Is it inviting or in need of a dire make over?  The curb appeal of your home is the first chance you have as a seller to showcase your home even before the buyer steps inside. 

TAKING CARE OF YOUR INVESTMENT

Your home represents the single biggest investment you will make.  How well you maintain and take care of it will determine the return on your investment when you sell.  Implementing a schedule for preventive maintenance, regular roof and gutter inspections, as well as creating and maintaining an inviting landscape only enhances your home's marketable value