REAL ESTATE SUMMER 2024
WANT TO SELL IN 2024 ?
Putting your home on the market requires a lot of work and can be emotional . Sellers often assume buyers will like their taste in decor and design , possibly overlooking simple things that could end up preventing their home from appealing to a wide variety of buyers . These tips will help you make your house marketable :
1 . You only get to make a first impression once . Start with good pictures for your listing . Clean the space as if you were already showing your house before pictures are taken . Then , check out your home ’ s curb appeal . Look for the first thing buyers will see when they pull up for a walkthrough . Do dead bushes need to be removed ? Old holiday decorations need to be put away ? Try to view your 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 eager to go 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 move-in ready and don ’ t want to think about putting work in , even if it ’ s just choosing a new paint color . Use freshly painted neutral colors and remove abstract art and family photos from the walls . This will be a great opportunity for you to start packing up your personal belongings while providing buyers the opportunity to imagine their own touches in the rooms .
3 . Space sells . Buyers want to feel like they can move right in , with spots for their furniture and belongings . Store ( offsite , if possible ) items that you don ’ t need for day-to-day living , such as off-season clothing , holiday decorations , and old toys . This gives cabinets , closets , and storage spaces a clean , spacious look . You could also use this decluttering opportunity to donate or sell items , giving your next home a fresh start .
4 . Don ’ t go overboard with updates . Ask your real estate agent about changes that can add value 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 update may be just what you need to close a sale .
5 . Don ’ t price yourself out of a sale . A listing price might seal the deal on selling your home . Make sure to work with your real estate agent to review comparable homes listed in your area , pricing trends and inventory available , and work to list your home appropriately . A fair market price will attract buyers interested in making your home their dream home .
WANT TO BUY IN 2024 ?
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 ’ re prepared , with knowledge of the market and what exactly 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 could be approved for on a home loan . Try to pay off as much debt as possible in advance of your home purchase and keep your credit card balances low .
2 . Where in the world ? Identify the locations where you ’ re interested in living 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 in which 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 non-negotiable ? For you it may be a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms . For someone else it may be a big yard . Do you dream of owning a home with a pool ? Writing out the specifics not only helps you identify what is important to you or your family , it also helps your real estate agent determine 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 the very best angle , in the best light , and sometimes with retouching . Photos of problem areas will not be posted , so keep an open mind when you find something online that you like . 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 visit any home that has potential . Your agent might also show you homes that may not have 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
GREENSBURG ❘ SUMMER 2024 11