SPECIAL SECTION: REAL ESTATE
house as if you were seeing it for the first time. Maybe an
exterior power wash or fresh coat of paint on your front
door would make buyers want to come inside.
2. Make your interior warm and neutral. Bold or
bright colors may have been an accent to you but could
turn off a buyer. Some buyers want a house that’s movein
ready and don’t want to think about putting in work,
even if it’s just by choosing a new paint color. Have freshly
painted neutral colors on the walls and remove abstract art
and family photos. This will be a great opportunity for you
to start packing up your personal belongings and provide
buyers the opportunity to imagine their own touches
added to the room.
3. Space sells. Buyers want to feel like they can move right
in and have a spot for all of their furniture and belongings.
Store (off-site, if possible) unnecessary items that you
don’t need for day-to-day living, such as off-season
clothing, holiday decorations, or even old toys. This gives
cabinets, closets and storage spaces a clean, spacious look.
You could also use this decluttering opportunity to donate
or sell these items, giving your new home a fresh start.
4. Don’t go overboard with updates. Ask your real
estate agent about changes that can add value to or create
appeal for your home. You don’t want to put too much
money into unnecessary upgrades that may not even
appeal to the type of buyer looking at your home. A small
upgrade may be just what you need to close a sale.
5. Don’t price yourself out of a sale. The listing price
might seal the deal on selling your home. Make sure to
work with your real estate agent to review comparable
homes in your area, pricing trends and available inventory,
and work to price your home appropriately. A fair market
price will attract buyers interested in making your home
their dream home.
WANT TO BUY IN 2020?
You’re ready to buy a house. Whether it’s your first home,
your forever home, or your retirement home, buying a house
is an exciting and exhausting experience. Make sure you come
prepared with knowledge of the market and exactly what you’re
looking for in a home.
1. Watch your credit. Start preparing early by avoiding
expensive purchases on your credit card and making sure
you don’t deposit a large amount of money into your
bank account. The first thing lenders check is your credit
score and bank balances to determine how much you are
approved for on a home loan. Try to pay off as much debt
as possible in advance of your home purchase and to keep
your credit card balances low.
2. Where in the world? Choose the locations where
you’re interested in purchasing a home and check out
home prices in those areas. You don’t want to have your
heart set on a location and come to find it is out of your
budget. Determine what you like about certain areas, such
as the school district, accessibility to work, and proximity
to parks and restaurants. Your real estate agent can then
help you narrow down more specific locations to focus
your home search.
3. Create a list. Or create a few lists. Must-haves versus
wish lists are critical, especially if you’re buying a
home with someone else. What do you consider a nonnegotiable?
It may be a certain number of bedrooms or
bathrooms for you. It may be a big yard for someone else.
Do you dream of owning a home with a pool? Writing out
the specifics not only helps you identify what is important
to you and your family, it also helps your real estate agent
know what is on the market that fits those needs and wants.
4. Photos may be deceiving. Home photos, if done right,
are often taken at their very best angle, in the best light,
and sometimes with a bit of retouching. Photos of problem
areas of the home will not be posted, so keep an open
mind when you find something you like online. Room
sizes may appear quite larger in a photo than in person;
that’s why it’s important to work with your real estate agent
to personally visit any home that may have potential. Your
agent can also show you homes that may not have been
photographed well, but are exactly what you’re looking for.
Don’t be fooled by a real estate catfish!
5. Be open-minded and on your toes. There will likely
be several buyers vying for a similar home in the same
market as you. If you think you’ve found the perfect home,
alert your real estate agent as soon as possible to go see it
in person. Being quick but smart could help you secure
the home of your dreams in a low-inventory market. If you
do get outbid by another buyer, be patient—something is
sure to come along! n
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CARLYNTON-MONTOUR ❘ SUMMER 2020 21