Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Quick Top Staging Tips
HOME STAGING – QUICK TIPS
Quick, Easy Staging Tips A house must look its best to attract buyers and sell for the most money possible. Buyers buy because it feels right.
Curb appeal is one of the most overlooked features. What buyers see on the outside is what they expect to see on the inside – good or bad. Take several photos from different angles. It’s a great way to see what others will see.
Do the easy things first. Lawn art, rusty hardware, stained cement, old patio furniture are all distractors. The front door and porch should sparkle. Apply a fresh coat of paint to the front door, update or clean all hardware, wash the windows.
Add a welcome doormat. Add seasonal flowers – yellow in the summer. Evergreens in the winter. Keep the lights on at night. Even a simple porch light lets a home shine. Small changes can reap big results.
Thinking of Buying?
THINGS TO KNOW WHEN BUYING
Thinking of Buying? Buying a home can be stressful. It’s a big investment, both financially and emotionally. And you want to be sure you’re not overpaying.
Sellers believe they are making a rational judgement about their home. Truth is, sellers are often biases and believe their home is worth as much to a buyer as it is to them.
And it’s easier to make good decisions when you have a clear understand of your lifestyle. Chances are you may not find “the PERFECT” home. Prioritize your “must haves” (gourmet kitchen because you love to entertain) vs “like to have” (deck for morning coffee).
Know what you’re willing to give up and know what you are NOT willing to give up, especially those things that cannot be changed i.e., location, school system, convenience to shopping, commute to work.
Want to Sell?
SOME THINGS TO KNOW WHEN SELLING
Thinking of Selling? Do you know what buyers are really thinking? A buyer is only interested in looking at your home if he knows what’s in it for him. Your goal is to sell your home. At a higher price. In less time. For the highest return possible. So how do you do that?
And all budgets are not the same. Budgets vary based on the condition of the home and the selling price. Take a realistic approach and look at what should be done for the highest return.
The good news is – you control 3 of the critical factors that determine how quickly the property sells and for how much.
The price. Pricing is critical.
The ease of viewing the property. Buyers are busy. Are the times available convenient and flexible?
The condition. The condition of the property will determine the right asking price.
Quick tip – Buyers see repairs as a major deduct off the purchase price and tend to overestimate the cost to repair or upgrade. If you choose not to do the repairs, have two contractors’ estimates prepared for the repairs and/or upgrades, have them readily available for the buyer’s review.
Timelines in the Probate Process
PROBATE TIMELINES
How Long does probate take?
Administrators often expect that probate will either be a very short process, or one that drags on for months.
Either of these scenarios can occur. And it varies from state to state. And everyone’s situation is different.
For example, if family members don’t agree it can slow things down considerably. The efficiency of a particular court can also come into play.
The 3 phases of probate. A general rule as timelines can vary court by court, state by state.
Days 1 – 60 Court appoints an estate representative ( Administrator)
Months 2 – 8 Administrative
Months 9 – 12 Closing the estate
Top 4 Buyer Fears
BUYING – BUYER FEARS
Top 4 Buyer Fears
Being able to afford a mortgage. What if you lose your job? Or have a serious medical problem? Knowledge is power. Talk with a trusted mortgage broker to estimate monthly expense, mortgage, taxes, utilities.
Over whelming maintenance costs. Avoid buying more house than you can afford. A good home inspector will help identify potential maintenance issues.
Loss in home values. Overtime, well maintained homes generally appreciate in value. With the help of a good real estate agent, you can avoid over paying for you home.
Not finding the right house. First ask yourself, do you know what you want? Make a list of must-haves, nice-to-have and deal-breakers. Be willing to walk away and keep looking to avoid buyer’s remorse later. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is only picture-perfect home for you.
Why Homes Don’t Sell
SELLING? – WHY HOMES DON’T SELL
3 Reasons why homes don’t sell.
Incorrect pricing. Pricing is critical. One of the most crucial factors in the sale of a property is pricing it correctly for its location, condition, improvements, and other factors. Price it right, you are on your way to a successful sale. Get it wrong, you scare buyers away.
Improper Marketing. Did you know 90% plus of buyers search online before deciding to visit a property (or not). But there is a lot more to selling a property then just waiting to see what happens. A marketing plan designed specifically for your property, an aggressive target marketing approach, is what will get a property sold for the most money possible, in the quickest amount of time.
Not Staging. Why staging makes a difference. The way we live in our home is different than how we sell a house. Buyers make assumptions about a property based on what they see, and how they feel about what they see. Small changes can make a BIG difference. And it is possible to spend small to reap BIG!
Is Home Staging Worth It?
HOME STAGING – Is It Worth It?
Does Home Staging Pay Off? It is proven! A properly staged home will fetch as much as 10% to 15% more than one not staged … and will sell in less time.
When assessing budgets, the order of importance is curb appeal, kitchens, then bathrooms. And color. Color will give the best return on investment.
Simple changes can make a huge difference. Rearrange furniture, use throw pillows, generic shower curtain, fresh flowers, clean windows. And of course, remove personal item like photos, religious items, excessive knick-knacks.
Virtual staging is an easy, cost-effective approach that helps buyers to visualize their future home. When you provide the photos, for as little as $25 – $30 per room. The home is staged with the help of digitally adding furniture or changing features such as cabinets, paint colors and more.
First Steps When Buying
BUYING – FIRST STEPS
Step Number One.
Get a pre-approval letter BEFORE you start your search. Why is this so critical? You’ll know what you can afford. This will save you valuable time help avoid future disappointments.
You’ll be ready to make an offer when a home feels right for you. With a pre-approval in hand, you’ll have better negotiating power. And in today’s market, most sellers won’t even look at offers without a pre-approval.
Interview several agents. Some buyers feel they are better off doing their own research online and don’t think they need an agent. What they may not realize is just how valuable it can be working with one agent that is dedicated to you. And it doesn’t cost you anymore.
A competent agent will help guide you, providing essential information needed so you can make the best decision that’s good for you. And finding the right home is only the first step. Then it’s getting a signed agreement, with terms that are in your best interests and then getting to the closing table. There’s a lot that can go wrong and a good agent will help avoid those situations.
First Things First When Selling
SELLING – FIRST THINGS FIRST
The First Step. Decide why you want to sell, and what you want to accomplish. Important questions to consider …
Do you have time constraints? (Are you getting transferred, school schedules)
Do you have immediate financial needs? (To sell quicker, lower your price)
How motivated are you? (What will selling do for you)
Are you just “testing the market” (maybe you should consider staying put)?
Do you want to downsize? (Prices are on the upside = more money for your home)
Are you looking to upgrade? (This is still a great time – interest rates are still low)
The answers to these questions will help you determine your terms and an asking price.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Probate
PROBATE – COMMON MISTAKES
Most Common Mistakes made when selling Probate Property.
One common mistake is selecting the wrong service providers. This could be a very costly mistake.
Are you wondering whether to liquidate the personal property? It can be helpful to contact a reputable estate sales company, one that is experienced with probate. And if there are special items, i.e., artwork, coin collection, antique cars, then contact companies that specialize in those particular items.
For investment assets such as stock and bonds consult with a qualified money management professional.
Make sure the real estate property is properly insured while the estate is being settled. Natural disasters can strike at any time. And if you are the personal representative, you could be liable for any losses due to damage that would otherwise have been covered by insurance.
Real estate is often the most valuable asset in an estate. It may play a major part in selling outstand debts. Be sure to get a market valuation from a qualified Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist to help with your decision.
