SPECIAL SECTION: REAL ESTATE
“ Home sellers can create an inviting atmosphere beginning with the first things buyers see, the front of the property. Keep the lawn mowed and tidy. Keep bushes and trees trimmed. Sweep the walkway and entryway. Address any small repairs to the outside of the home. You can also plant flowers or small plants, add solar lights or add a fresh coat of paint to the front door to greatly enhance the exterior of the home.
Home buyers need to be prepared and patient. Get pre-approved and begin working with an agent who knows the area well, listens to your needs and genuinely cares about you and the process you are embarking upon. When the right home does come along, you’ ll be a step ahead of the crowd.”
— Michele Jones, Howard Hanna Realtor
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“ For sellers, I recommend having a realtor walk through the home before you list it to give pointers on preparing the home to sell and provide recent sales to get realistic market expectations. Decluttering and neutralizing walls / flooring make a huge difference with today’ s buyers.
For buyers, I suggest meeting with a loan professional to get an idea of monthly payment at different price points. Discuss with your realtor if you prefer a“ move-in ready” home or want a fixer upper to make your own. Of course everyone’ s definition of“ move-in ready” is different so set expectations early in the process to simplify your home search.”
— Fred Amendola, Howard Hanna Realtor relocation or financial distress, will be the biggest determinant of whether you will see a solid profit from your investment.”
8. 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. An updated kitchen will increase the value of your home, but 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.
9. 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.
10. SELLING: Consider names & 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 something like Thunder Road, for example. American numerology says that 666 is bad luck and could decrease the value of your home by 2 to 3 percent. Also, steer clear of the number 4, considered unlucky in Chinese culture. Stick to the number 8, or include the lucky digits 316 in your asking price! n
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