What to Expect from 2014

Can you believe 2014 is almost here? Before we start looking ahead, let's go over what happened in 2013.

First, we saw historically low interest rates despite the increase in May from 3.5% to 4.5%

Second, inventory is still at a 15 year low. Buyers do not have much to choose from.

Third, in the overall market, we've seen a slight decrease in sales, but for our team, we've seen an 80% increase! Thank you so much for your support. Without you, none of this would be possible.

If you have any questions, please give me a call today. Have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Small Things That Can Make (Or Break) Your Selling Success

Small Things That Can Make (Or Break) Your Selling Success

When people decide to sell their home, you might think that it is a matter of connecting with a Realtor®, placing the listing on the MLS and then waiting and watching for an offer to come in. That does pretty much sum it up in a nutshell but there are some important things to consider in the interim that, if the homeowner is not mindful of, could jeopardize the sale. Here is a look at four seemingly little things that could have a big impact on whether or not your home sells well.

Motivation
Until and unless you are motivated to sell your home, there is a strong likelihood of things not going well. If less than fully motivated, some people may not do all they can to present the home in its best light or be accommodating to buyers’ requests to see the home. Furthermore, homeowners that do not feel pressed to sell their home do not take the time to prepare their home, declutter or update the space as would be necessary to attract a good pool of buyers.

Flexibility
Any homeowner that is currently trying to sell their home will say that it is not an easy feat to continue with daily life while constantly preparing the home for showings, leaving when necessary, allowing their agent to host open houses or keeping up the home while it’s on the market. These are all things that require a fair amount of flexibility and without that flexibility there is a fair amount of risk. The risks include a much slower process to get the home sold or worse yet, the home not selling at all! You can be flexible on things other than price, such as closing date, other terms or seller concessions.

Discretion
This is a very important aspect of selling a home that too many people neglect to realize. Whether casually discussing the motivation of your sale to coworkers or mentioning details of a contract underway to someone in the family – disclosing details can and do pose a threat. It is critical to keep confidential terms of the contract and other things that may have an impact on others’ perception.

Stay Neutral
When you set up your home, try to imagine what buyers will be thinking as they walk through. Is there so much personal stuff that they are unable to see past it and envision their own lives in the home? Do brightly colored walls or outdated wallpapered walls hinder a buyer’s ability to see their own tastes fitting in? Be sure to heed your real estate agent’s advice when they share insight as to what buyers would likely respond to.

For more tips on how you can successfully sell your home for more money, in the least amount of time with as little hassle possible, contact us today! We look forward to helping to sell your home!

How to Get the Most Money on Your Home Sale

Welcome back!  If you’re getting your home ready to sell, it’s important to know how to appeal to buyers. What is it that they want to see when they view your home? Here are three important elements of preparing your home.

1.    Paint. You’d be amazed at what a simple coat of paint or touch up does for a home. Remember to stay neutral.

2.    Wallpaper and floor coverings. If you have wallpaper you need to either remove it or paint over it (depending on the condition). If your carpet is worn down, it’s time to replace it. Don’t worry we know some vendors who can help you for a very inexpensive cost.

3.    Landscape. You don’t have to plant all new bushes, just have a well-kept lawn. Trim the bushes, mow the lawn, etc.

These are three easy tips that have a huge impact on the appeal of your home. If you have any questions, please give me a call at 770.396.6100

Thanks for watching!