REAL ESTATE SPECIAL SECTION
Check out 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
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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.
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.
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