REAL ESTATE SPECIAL SECTION
your home’s curb appeal. 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 want to come inside.
2. Make your interior inviting.
Although you may adore bold or bright colors adorning your
walls, your buyers may not. Choose freshly painted, neutral
colors and remove clutter from the walls. While you are
decluttering, start packing away items that aren’t used every day
such as trinkets, photos and personalized art. This will allow
buyers to imagine their own touches added to the room.
3. Create more space, or at least the illusion of it.
Short on space? No problem! Create the illusion of space by
storing away (off-site, if possible) unnecessary items, giving
cabinets, closets and storage spaces a spacious look. Or, make
moving easier by donating or selling these items!
4. Update only to increase value.
Work with your real estate agent on recommendations for
simple changes that can add value to or create appeal for your
home. This can be as simple as adding a backsplash in the
kitchen, or refreshing landscaping to add curb appeal. A small
upgrade may be just what you need to close a sale.
5. Make sure the price is right.
You won’t need to call on Drew Carey, but you should work
with your real estate agent to figure out comparable home
prices in your area, pricing trends and inventory available, and
price your home accordingly. A fair market price will attract
buyers interested in making your home their dream home.
PREPARING TO BUY IN 2018?
Whether it’s saving for your first home, searching for your dream
home, or downsizing to your forever home, buying a house is an
exciting and exhausting experience. Putting in the extra effort could
be the difference you need to nail the home you want.
1. Give yourself some credit.
Now is not the time to open a new credit card, increase your
credit limit or make a big purchase. The first thing lenders
check is your credit score when determining how much you
are approved for on a home loan. Work on keeping your credit
card balances low, and paying down balances. Limiting your
spending may seem hard, but is worth the payoff when you are
approved for your new home.
2. Location. Location. Location.
When narrowing down where you want your home to be, it’s
best to first determine how much you can borrow. You don’t
want to have your heart set on a location and come to find
it is out of your budget. Look at what is most important to
you. Is it proximity to parks and good schools, or access to
entertainment and nightlife, or lots of land to spread out? From
there, you may find exactly where you want to be that fits your
spending limit.
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3. Create a must-have list and a wish list.
What’s non-negotiable in your new home? Is it an integral
garage or open-concept floor plan or a pool? Now, is a pool
really a non-negotiable? (We do live in Pittsburgh with sunny
days less than half of the year.) Be realistic with your must-have
list and your wish list. While a pool may seem dreamy, many
communities have local swim clubs or gyms that provide all
the joy of having a pool without the work. You may not get
everything on your must-have list, but be creative on ways to
potentially add those “musts” once you move in.
4. Things (including houses) are not always as they
appear.
Just like models in magazines with no wrinkles, home photos
are often taken at their very best angle. What may seem dreamy
and flawless on a computer screen may be crumbling and
cracking in real life. Hit the streets with your local agent to
see your favorite homes in person. You’ll be able to explore
all of the sights unseen in the photos, including what the
neighborhood is like. Maybe you find a lovely home, but come
to learn it’s next to a busy freeway or shopping center. Never
stray from the sentiment that seeing is believing!
5. Be patient; it’s a process.
Unfortunately, you’re not the only buyers in the market. Many
are looking for similar offerings in a home. You may lose out
on what you think is the perfect home, but keep your head up!
Something just as good, if not better, will come along—because
where there are buyers, there are sure to be more sellers!
Whether you’re looking to buy or to sell, there are hundreds of
resources available to you and your family. Start smart by doing your
research. Is now the time to put your home on the market? What’s
the buyers market like this season? Don’t rush to make a decision
just because spring is here. Homes are bought and sold throughout
the year, so make sure the time is right. As a first step, review your
finances. If you’re on the right track to having a good bit saved, you’re
probably ready to start your must-have/wish lists. Reach out to a
real estate agent to help you get acquainted with the communities
you have in mind and the neighborhoods you can afford. If you’ve
been talking about moving, take a look at your home. Do you have
repairs to make before putting your home on the market? You’ll want
to make any small upgrades, declutter and rearrange rooms prior to
taking pictures of your home to show potential buyers.
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