IN Plum Summer 2016 | Page 24

SPECIAL SECTION : REAL ESTATE
behalf . Ask friends and family for references of agents they ’ ve used in the past . Look up their current listings to see if they align with the type of home you want to buy or sell . This will also indicate their knowledge of the market .
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BUYING / SELLING : Get a second opinion .
When you have lived in your home for years , it ’ s easy to overlook problems that potential buyers may spot right away . Have a relative or trusted friend come over to spot any small fixes that you can make prior to putting your home on the market to make sure it ’ s in optimal condition prior to selling . When considering buying a home , it ’ s also helpful to have someone who is not buying the home go with you to take a look . He / she will be able to point out potential issues that you may not see when trying to make such an important decision .
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SELLING : Ignore the housing market .
Don ’ t waste your time watching the housing market for the best time to sell . According to Investopedia , “ it doesn ’ t matter what your home is worth at any given moment except the moment when you sell it . Being able to choose when you sell your home , rather than being forced to sell it due to job relocation or financial distress , will be the biggest determinant of whether you will see a solid profit from your investment .”
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SELLING : Will renovating always increase my resale value ?
Make conscious decisions when renovating your home . While newer will entice potential buyers , be cognizant of what rooms you update and how you do it . While updated kitchens will increase the value of your home , be sure to appeal to a wide range of tastes . A good place to start is with the appliances . Realtor . com states that homes with stainless steel appliances sell 15 percent faster than those without . Updated bathrooms are easier to satisfy a wider range of buyers ’ desires for luxury , but be sure to keep the colors neutral .
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SELLING : Don ’ t spend earnest money !
Many sellers make the mistake of depositing and spending earnest money before closing day . If the transaction doesn ’ t go through or the buyer pulls out due to repair issues , it is up to the seller to return the cash . It is recommended to have a real estate agent or broker hold the deposit . Most buyers ’ earnest money will be held in an escrow account until the closing day , allowing the money to remain untouched by either party .
FUN FACT : Get the name and numbers .
Just when you think you ’ ve checked all the boxes for an easy sell of your house , take a second look at your address . According to Zillow , street names and house numbers matter ! If you happen to live at 666 Fanny Hands Lane , you may be out of luck ( however that particular street is in the United Kingdom , so you should be safe ). Innuendo-laden street names tend to not sell as quickly as those like Thunder Road . American numerology says that 666 is bad luck and could decrease the value of your home by 2-3 percent . Also , steer clear of the number four , considered unlucky in Chinese culture . Stick to the number eight , or include the lucky digits 316 in your asking price !
Before entering the real estate market , educate yourself . The more you know , the better your chances are for nailing down the home of your dreams ! n
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