Tips for Staging Your Home for the Fall Season

Written on 24 June 2016.

Summer is a great time to start thinking about what you want to do to get your home ready for the fall selling season. Life is so busy and hectic that we tend to put things off till the last minute. While some things can get the once over, when selling your home this may not be the best idea. Your time and home is valuable so don’t ignore the fact that the clock is ticking. Don't waste your summer days! If you are thinking about selling before winter sets in, have a strategy to stage your home effectively while bringing in the most buyers as possible.

The Top 5

1. Curb appeal, curb appeal, and more curb appeal: I am sure you have already heard this term a thousand times; however, never under estimate what this really means. When your home or any other property is on the market, your top priority should be your home's curb appeal. Unfortunately, by the time fall rolls around this task can become more difficult. Your colorful summer flowers will have come and gone, so make sure you start to add fall color to pots and landscaping beds of brightly colored mums, pansies, and other fall annuals as soon as they become available. Even a fall setting such as pumpkins and hay bales can add a lot of color and texture. In addition, always make sure your landscape beds and lawn are kept clean of falling leaves. It’s impossible to keep up with leaves every day, just try to keep the majority cleaned up especially on driveways, sidewalks, and porches. Be sure to cut make back bushes, annuals, and perennials that are going dormant for the winter. Lastly also consider pressure washing around the home before it gets too cold…

2. Do not over Decorate: Remember too little is better than too much when staging a home. The key to success is to know when enough is enough. You don't want to break the bank and you don't want to over-decorate your home. It's easy to go overboard, and plenty of people will make this mistake. Please do not be one of them. Put a simple attractive wreath on the door, add a couple of potted plants at the door and you are good to go. . Remember, you want your buyers to remember the home, not all of your pretty holiday decorations.

3. Focus on the Cozy: Not creating comfort especially when there is a cool chill in the air can mean the difference of a cozy home or just a feeling of cold space. Having already drawn the potential buyer in, you want to make them feel how it would actually feel to live in the space. Highlight areas such as the fireplace stacked with wood ready to burn, Add some other features such as a fall throw, and unlit scented candles. A few pots of fall colored plants and flowers can always make you feel at home. Note, cozy also means getting ready of clutter. Clutter can make the room feel busy and small rather than cozy. In addition, think about some goodies. Set up an area with some hot coffee, tea, and/ or cider along with some fresh-baked cookies, or any other treats. This provides a fall aroma while knocking the chill off; helping buyers remember their experience in your home.

4. Brighten up Your Home: As the days go by the days get shorter and shorter. This can actually have an effect on potential buyers weighing down emotions and the feeling of being tired and lethargic. Replace all of your bulbs with bright warm bulbs in all of your lighting fixtures, making sure there are as many lights turned on as possible. Also, if you have large windows that let in light make sure they are clean and curtains and shades are open.

5. Change Your Bedding and Towels: Buyers will be touring your entire home so do not let the cozy feeling just resonate in your main areas. With the bed being the focal point of the bedroom, thick luxurious fall-colored comforters can make the home feel cozy, relaxing, and inviting. The same gesture goes for the bathroom rich colorful towels can make the bathroom feel cozy and inviting as well. 

Remember most sellers focus on putting their homes for sell in the spring. In the fall, you have less competition with fewer homes on the market. Fall does not have to be daunting; with a little imagination and effort it can be fun and rewarding for both the buyer and the seller when planning ahead.

How to Move with Your Pets

Written on 28 March 2016.

With a record-breaking 79 million U.S. households now owning a pet, moving can be stressful for both the owner and their family pets. Making sure you have planned ahead will help take most of the stress away for you and provide safety and a smooth transition for your furry friends.

What to consider:

What to do before the move?

What to do during the move?

What to do after the move?

Click on this link to find out how you can be your pets best friend during a stressful move.

Important Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Agent

Written on 28 March 2016.

In a survey done by the National Association of Realtors, they are a number of reasons why sellers partner with a Real Estate Agent to work with them when selling their home.

The seller’s number one reason for hiring an agent was they wanted their home to be priced competitively so it would sell. Not far behind, the sellers surveyed expressed that finding a buyer for their property ranked at the top of their list along with contract negotiating on the seller’s behalf.

Marketing their home, selling the home within a specified timeframe, and helping with paperwork and inspections also played a key role when deciding to choose a Real Estate Agent to list their home. There are many more reasons to take into consideration when deciding whether or not to list your home with a Real Estate Agent.

When searching and interviewing agents, take caution, make sure the agent you select is licensed in the state you live and are also a member of the NAR.

For more information about the National Realtor Association visit www.realtor.org.

Costs for Buying a Home

Written on 11 March 2016.

Buying a home-what about the closing costs? Closing costs are based on the purchase amount agreed by the buyer and seller and are the responsibility of the buyer. The closing costs are what a buyer is going to pay in order to obtain a loan in addition to any down payment they may need to purchase their new home or property.

What do closing costs cover? Closing costs cover several line items including lender fees, title fees, and third-party fees. Closing costs do not include Realtor fees, these fees are paid by the seller.

How are down-payments and closing costs calculated? Fees and down-payments are based on the type of loan a buyer is trying to obtain. Often first-time buyers fall under a FHA loan where a seller can pay up to 6% of the purchase price. There are several other loan options including VA, conventional, and USDA/Rural loans. Every loan has specified guidelines, fees, and who can quality for these loans. It is also important to mention when looking for a home to purchase ask about certain loans that do qualify for no down-payment terms. Closing costs are an absolute when financing a home it is just a matter of who is going to pay for them. Most often sellers will help with closing fees; however, the seller cannot help with the down-payment. Remember the down-payment is entirely the buyer’s responsibly. Buying a home can be overwhelming; however, when you have the right Lender and Realtor to help you navigate it can be a smooth and rewarding process!!!