Seller Tips
First impressions are lasting: Make sure the front of your house is clean and inviting, keep your lawn and hedges trimmed and manicured. Remove leaves and debris from walks. Make sure that your pool is clean. A small investment in painting will make your home look fresh and return more in the selling price.
Pay attention to detail: Minor flaws will detract from your home's value. Fix loose knobs, torn screens, dripping faucets, clogged drains. Pay special attention to odors from pets or cooking.
Bright, clean, charming: Make sure your bathrooms sparkle, clean out messy closets, box up things neatly in the attic or basement. Create a warm, friendly atmosphere with fresh flowers, lots of light, a fire in the fireplace in winter, open windows in summer.
Three's a crowd: Avoid being present during a showing; the prospect will feel like an intruder and hurry through. Leave and take your pets with you. If you can't leave, step outside of the house and don't force conversation. If the agent has a question, he will ask you.
Avoid looking cluttered: While your knick-knacks may have given your home the personal touches that you have enjoyed, they may make it difficult for some buyers to envision the house as their own. Put as much of it away as you can. This will also give your home a more spacious look and feel.
Counters and Cabinets: A very important feature to most house hunters is plenty of counter and cabinet space. Clean off counters, and make sure your cabinets do not look like they are busting at the seams.
How to Prepare for a Showing
Wash dishes, or put them in the dishwasher
Make beds
Wipe counters
Empty trash
Hide dirty clothes (in washer)
Run vacuum
Remove clutter
Turn on the lights
Pat yourself on the back, you did it
Leave the House Before Showing!
The Significance Of The Cluttered Home To Buyers
A chaotic house may lower its value
By David Kopec
In our modern world, many of us have succumbed to the excesses of capitalism. Giant warehouse stores allow us to buy in bulk; massive chain department stores allow for incredible bargain prices. We drive giant vehicles to haul the stuff around and super-size meals to fuel our shopping frenzy.
As consumers we have expanded the idea of basic needs well beyond necessity. Needs are things that we cannot survive without such as food and shelter. For whatever reason, many of our desires have become needs and the result is too much stuff. In a society where shopping has become a recreational sport, and the acquisition of things a daily ritual, we must be cautious not to acquire too much to clutter up our homes.
While those of us who live in cluttered environments may have developed some numbness, meaning that we no longer consciously notice or see the chaos of clutter, we are still affected at some level. Lack of energy, motivation and low self-esteem are often characteristics that accompany the daunting task of making sense of, or separating from, our clutter.
From the prospective homebuyer’s view, clutter translates into an undesirable home. Cluttered homes often appear smaller. They look darker, and tend to smell from the excess dust. The excess stimuli can be an immediate turn-off because the combined effect suggests that all of the home’s other features will be rundown, decayed and in need of much repair. The converse is also true: homes devoid of clutter and kept clean give the impression of being well maintained and not requiring much work.
As real estate professionals, it is important to understand that when prospective buyers view a home they do so through various lenses. Some will look at a property in terms of its resale value, others will view it as a starter home, and others will view it as their potential home for life.
For those looking at property in terms of resale value, clutter is a good. Clutter means that the property doesn’t show well and as such the potential buyer stands a good chance of acquiring it below value. For those looking at a property as a starter home, the clutter only serves to widen the gap between the desired home and the home they must settle for. People looking at a property as their potential permanent home will imagine themselves occupying it. Clutter compromises the ideal image and prospective buyers view the home in terms of cleaning and maintenance.
Properties with clutter translate into increased time on the market and lower values, not only because the clutter decreases the perception of size, air and light, but also because of the perceived level of work involved in maintaining the property. It might behoove sellers to spend a little upfront and hire a professional clutter clearer and/or home stager. This initial cost will be recouped by way of a higher selling price and faster sale.
Copyright © Realty Times
Home Staging Helps Bring Top Dollar Sale
Learn the 5 C's to help you get multiple offers
By Phoebe Chongchua
If your house could be sold looking the way a model home does, do you think it might bring in more money? Chances are it would. That's why home staging is a growing profession that's rapidly changing the way homes are sold.
"Staging is not decorating. Decorating is optional, staging is mandatory in order to sell the house for the most possible money in the shortest amount of time," says home staging instructor Joanne O'Donnell.
O'Donnell has been teaching courses on how to stage a home to be sold for several years. The concept first became known in 1972 by then-Realtor, Barb Schwarz who realized that homes would sell for higher prices if they were prepared to sell first.
Today, hundreds of thousands of real estate professionals, decorators and sellers have come to understand the once-little-known term staging that was coined by Schwarz.
O'Donnell recently taught a course in San Diego, Calif. In the course were two mother-daughter teams, Realtors and even a lawyer.
"When we put your home on the market it is no longer your home; it is a product and we're marketing it," O'Donnell told the students.
Home stagers start by viewing the seller's home inside and out. O'Donnell encourages the students to walk through a home that they plan to stage with the seller, being sure to take notes of items that need to be moved and/or removed.
While home staging may improve the looks of the home, O'Donnell is careful to point out it is not interior decorating. Instead she says it's much simpler.
"You can't go out and buy new things for every problem that you have with a house," says O'Donnell.
She tells the students to be problem solvers, reminding them that her clients are selling their homes and they don't want to spend a lot to do it.
Really home staging is about de-cluttering and making a home desirable to the masses. "Clutter eats up equity," O'Donnell frequently reminds the students throughout the course.
"The whole idea of staging is that you want to market to the largest number of people to get as many offers as possible," says O'Donnell.
There are five key points that must be applied when staging a home. O'Donnell refers to them as the Five C's of Staging: the home needs to be clean, clutter free, have color, be creatively staged, and finally stagers have to compromise with the sellers, because, of course, many sellers continue living in their homes while they're being shown.
"People don't see that a lot of things that are in their houses are part of themselves and when you try to sell a house you want to make it as neutral as possible, not necessarily in the colors, but in the way it's presented," says Gerin Canin, a lawyer from New York who is transitioning into a home staging career.
Canin believes home stagers play a vital role in real estate.
"I think that when people sell their homes they don't necessarily see their house as a potential buyer would see their house. They become attached to things. [The seller] doesn't notice things that other people would notice. So I do think it's important to have an opinion from someone else," explains Canin.
Here are a few home staging tips from professionals:
For the Inside:
Clear the clutter.
Put away all electrical cords and extra appliances.
Put away family photos.
Think open space.
For the Outside:
Shutters improve the look.
Paint/Power wash.
Plants, high, medium, low -- with lots of color.
Decks -- even small ones can be a big improvement.
Copyright © Realty Times
Create a 'Throne Room' Fit for Royalty
12 tips for making your bathroom shine when selling
by Michele Dawson
If you're in the midst of selling your home, or plan to do so soon, you probably know all about staging your house so it will "show" well. One area that deserves special attention is the bathroom.
Aside from the kitchen, which most homebuyers consider to be the most important room in the house, the bathrooms are considered a key selling point. That's especially true with the master bathroom or suite area.
This is indicated by the trends seen among buyers of new homes.
"Our second-favorite room is the bath," said Joan McCloskey, a former Better Homes and Gardens Magazine editor who talked about new-home buyer trends at this year's International Builder Show. "Even humble folks are pampering themselves with luxurious bathrooms in the master suite. Our bathrooms set the mood for the day and homeowners want it light, comfortable, and cheerful. Toys in this room and the master include heated floors, little refrigerators, steam showers with multiple shower heads, soaking tubs, towel warmers, fireplaces, and coffee nooks."
The National Kitchen and Bath Association says today's bathrooms are more elaborate and luxurious; one emerging trend is adding columns in the bathroom for a roman spa feel.
While there are common preferences among buyers purchasing move-up or luxury homes, the trends tend to trickle down to entry-level homes -- often in the way of options and upgrades -- and remodeled homes. Potential homebuyers will take note of the state of your bathrooms, whether it's a 1,200 square-foot starter home or roomy executive-style digs.
When it comes to color for fixtures and floors, neutrals are dominant and woods, especially cherry, are in vogue. Granite countertops are popular and nickel is being used more often than stainless steel for faucets. Shower areas are getting more elaborate and multiple shower heads are popular.
If your bathroom is dated, you may want to consider a minor remodel before selling. Remodeling Magazine says you'll recover, on average, 88 percent of the money you spend once you sell. The minor remodel costs an average of $9,720.
If you are willing to spend, some improvements you may want to consider include:
Replace your bathtub with a whirlpool bath. Or if you don't want to spend that much and your tub is unattractive, replace it with a non-whirlpool variety. A nice shiny tub will make a lot more points than one that is dingy and decades-old.
Change out your toilets. There are many attractive models on the market, many available for less than $200. And many new models use less water than older ones, another plus for would-be homebuyers.
Install new flooring. If that old vinyl is worn or unattractive, consider installing tile. If you purchase modestly priced tile you can plan to spend anywhere from $300 to $3,000 tiling two bathrooms and a powder room, depending on the cost of the tile, size of the rooms and whether you do the job yourself or hire someone.
Add a new vanity. This can be especially impressive in the master bathroom and the powder room. Storage is especially important in the master bathroom, so make sure your new vanity has plenty of storage.
Replace your sinks. A pedestal sink is a stylish option for the powder room. They come in a range of styles and generally have a large bowl. The drawback to a pedestal design is that you won't have storage space. Also, if you're considering a free-standing basin, you'll need to be sure you choose a spout that can reach the bowl. Another up-and-coming style is the vessel sink, which looks like a bowl on top of the countertop. Some can be installed with a wall-mount bracket. These sinks are stylish and work well if you're aiming to create a simple, geometric look. You'll have a huge variety of choice in materials: cast iron, glass, stainless steel, brass, nickel, copper, stone, and many others.
If you're on a budget or need to sell in a hurry, there are many lower-cost options to make your bathroom look its best, including:
Add new faucets. Nothing will make your bathroom sparkle more than a stylish new faucet. Be sure you don't go for anything too dramatic. You'll want to choose one that will appeal to a range of tastes.
Paint. Nothing makes a bigger impact than fresh paint. Go for a light color. To be safe, go as neutral as possible. Light blues and greens are popular bathroom colors.
Light it up. Warm fluorescent vertical wall sconces will provide you with even lighting on your face -- essential for applying cosmetics or shaving. In addition, a halogen light placed above the vanity provides cross lighting when used with wall sconces. Indirect -- also called cove -- lighting through hidden light source provides a soft, warm glow to the bathroom.
Keep it clean. Make sure your mirrors sparkle, the water spots are gone and the floors are spotless.
Hang new towels.
Install new hardware -- towel and paper rings, and new pulls and knobs for your vanities.
Accessorize. If you don't have any art on the walls, hang a framed print. Fill a vase with flowers and place it on the vanity or counter. Place a candle arrangement on a bathtub ledge or counter, if space permits. Throw down a new rug to provide texture and color.
Copyright Realty Times
Make a Grand Entrance
Selling? Don't underestimate your entryway
By Michele Dawson
If you're selling your house, you've probably heard all about curb appeal. Once that first impression passes the test, the next thing that meets the eyes of potential buyers is the entryway -- so make it look good.
The entrance serves as the transition from outdoors to indoors and can leave an indelible impression in the mind of a potential buyer.
"Don't underestimate the importance of the entrance to your home," says Robert Irwin in his book Improve the Value of Your Home Up to $100,000: 50 Surefire Techniques and Strategies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003). "It helps define the quality of your property when people enter. If your entrance exudes richness, buyers will think of your home as a rich property and be prepared to make offers accordingly."
And Irwin says the opposite holds true as well.
"If the entrance is shabby, then no matter how well appointed the rest of the home, 'shabby' is what will be imprinted on the buyer's mind."
Tile Makes a Great Entry Floor
Irwin says having flooring in the entryway that varies from the rest of the house is one way to set off the entrance. He suggests tile flooring, whether it's ceramic, marble, granite, or synthetic.
"In a sense it almost doesn't matter what type of tile you choose, since they all signal a fine entrance," he says.
An entryway is the place to make a statement. Italian ceramic tiles come in a range of colors; those from Mexico come in rich browns and reds.
"You want the tiles to accent your home, but not dominate it," he adds, saying you should impress the buyer, but make sure the rest of your house measures up.
The World Floor Coverings Association says you can tile a typical entryway for about $500.
Spruce Up Your Entrance's "Jewelry"
Irwin also says a nice chandelier can do wonders for your entryway. Considered the jewelry of the home, lighting and other fixtures are by themselves of limited value.
"But when it comes to dressing up your property, they add value," Irwin says.
Irwin says most production homes fall short in the chandelier department. While they can be expensive, you can get a high-quality piece in the $500 to $1,000 range. He also says to keep your eyes open at garage sales and flea markets.
He suggests not going overboard and staying tasteful -- don't go with ones that are too big or gaudy.
"A fancy chandelier is a luxury," he says. "Buyers like to think they're purchasing luxurious homes."
Meanwhile, Cathy Whitlock, an interior designer in Nashville, Tenn., offers some general entryway decorating tips on the Home and Garden Television Web site -- tips that can help make your home more attractive to those picky buyers out there. They include:
Add plants. Ficus trees are good for traditional décor; palm trees are a good fit for contemporary.
Throw an area rug on the floor.
Use a chest or console table to anchor the area. Display a favorite collection or a lamp. Hang a picture or mirror above the table.
Paint a shade of yellow. It goes with everything so it's a good choice for an entryway, which flows to other rooms in the house.
Finally, make sure the area is clean and sparkling. If your entryway leads into a staircase, make sure the banister and railings are clean. Keep the area clear of the clutter that may otherwise accumulate during your everyday routines -- kids' backpacks, coats, mail, etc. Make sure the floor is always swept or vacuumed and make sure the entryway is fully lit, whether it's by a hanging fixture or a lamp.
Copyright Realty Times
Want to Sell Quickly? Think Paint
A good first impression helps sell your home
by Michele Dawson
It can't be overstated—when it comes to buying a house, the first impression is everything. If you're selling or getting ready to sell in the coming months, one of the easiest and most dramatic ways to enhance that first impression is through paint.
Fresh paint makes your house look clean, bright, and inviting.
"Painting your house's exterior before you put it on the market give the biggest bang for your fix-up buck—if you use colors that conform with your neighborhood's decorating norm," says Eric Tyson and Ray Brown in their book "House Selling for Dummies (Hungry Minds Inc., 1999).
Agents agree that sellers shouldn't take curb appeal lightly, especially when so many buyers are doing their homework and looking at the exterior of houses before they even contact an agent.
"Curb appeal is crucial," said Mary Sheridan, an agent in Silver Spring, Md. "Buyers get a lot of information from the web now and I find that often they have already driven around with a list of addresses and have decided which ones they want to see, giving curb appeal a lot of weight."
The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute, an educational resource for paint and paint-related coatings, offers the following tips for painting before selling:
If nothing else, paint at least the door, door frame, and foyer or first room the would-be buyers will see.
Use fresh, neutral colors. If you're painting the exterior, make sure the color blends in with the neighborhood. Opt for whites, creams or neutrals. The PQI says these colors appeal to the greatest number of people.
Whether you paint yourself or hire someone, make sure all the prep work is done—washing all dirt away, and patching and repairing any necessary areas on the surface before it is painted.
Paint railings, window frames, trim, and other accents to freshen up the exterior.
Promote any recent painting in your ads, flyers and online descriptions of your house. Homeowners and buyers place a high value on the painted appearance of a home. Include the date the paint job was completed and the quality of paint that was used.
If you're thinking about going with a different color, the experts say you should consider the architecture of the home. You should also consider:
What the house is made of. You can easily paint wood, brick, masonry, or aluminum siding. But if you have vinyl siding, it should only be painted the same color or a lighter color. Dark paint will absorb the heat and ultimately cause the vinyl to warp in the heat.
The fixed colors—roof color, wood, masonry, and stone.
The surroundings—houses and other buildings in the neighborhood.
And if you don't to paint the whole house, consider an eye-popper like the front door.
"It is very important to have a home looking its best and that starts as soon as a buyer drives up to the home," said Paul Thury, a Connecticut Realtor. "One important tip is to paint the front door if you cannot paint the whole house. This brings a good feeling as you enter the house."
Another important tip is to get all your painting done before potential buyers view the house.
"It is important to have all the repairs and paint done before going on the market," said Julie Nelson, a real estate consultant in Austin, Texas. "You need that bam experience on day one on the market. Anything less than bam and you're just helping the other homes in the neighborhood sell first."
Copyright Realty Times
Show your house in the right light
By Michele Dawson
If you're getting ready to put your house on the market you're probably busy painting some of the dingy walls, shampooing your carpet, and clearing the clutter. But be sure you add something else to your list—strategic lighting.
With the right lighting, the look of a room can turn from mediocre to sensational, making it look bigger, airier and more desirable.
The right lighting can enhance your skin tone, allow you to see what you're doing, draw attention to focal points in your décor, and make a big difference in how you feel about your home. And best of all, it's inexpensive compared to other home decorating or remodeling options.
Lighting experts tell us there are three types of lighting: general, which gives overall light to an area and allows for safe function in your home; accent, which highlights and draws special attention to details; and task, which helps you to perform tasks.
Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, says there are three other categories of light as well.
Ambient light is a hidden source of light that washes a room with a glow. Aesthetic lighting itself can be a work of art, such as a neon sculpture. Natural light, (sunlight, candlelight and firelight) is light that moves. Quality of natural light, sunlight in particular, depends on many things such as time of day, the weather, and what season it is.
Lighting can also play tricks on the mind and enhance or minimize the physical size of the room. For example, Sadez Friedmann says that if a room is too tall, low luminaries that don't allow light out the top help shorten high ceilings; if a room is too small, visually push one wall open by washing it with light; and if a room is too wide, illuminate the narrow ends of the room. Conversely, if a room is too narrow, illuminate the wide sides of the room.
In his book Improve the Value of Your Home Up to $100,000 (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003), Robert Irwin says a dark house is a definite turn-off to potential buyers.
"Not only will they keep you from getting a quick sale, but they will also cut down on the amount of money you'll get in offers," says Irwin, who has written more than 50 books on a range of real estate issues. "On the other hand, if you lighten up these dark spots, you can very quickly improve the value of your property."
Chris Casson Madden, the author of 13 interior design-related books and host of HGTV's "Interiors by Design," takes a look at how you can improve your lighting and attract buyers, room by room:
Any room: Use high-hats or recessed down-lights installed in ceilings with a dimmer control.
Bedroom: In addition to above, add a floor lamp or table lamp and bedside lights for reading.
Bathroom: Angle recessed lighting to bounce light off the walls and ceiling and help reduce glare and shadow. Use wall-mounted sconces or over-vanity lights beside the mirror. Light your shower's interior with uniform brightness.
Kitchen: Task lighting is required here. Group down-lights to focus more light on particular areas.
Today's decorative lamps and fixtures do more than illuminate. You can choose from decorative sconces, chandeliers, and table and floor lamps in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes that take a room from drab to dramatic with the flick of a switch.
If you're looking for a quick fix, Irwin suggests replacing all the old fixtures—they typically run about $40 to $50 apiece. Be sure to get a fixture that produces 200 to 300 watts each.
"Now, no matter which room a prospective buyer walks into, it will be lit brightly," he says. "And the lighting fixture itself will be modern and attractive."
He also recommends buying six or so halogen lights and placing one in each room.
"Yes, they use a lot of electricity, but the extra light often makes the difference when a buyer is on the fence and can't decide whether or not to make an offer on the home," he said.
So once you've added a few strategic lamps and fixtures throughout your house, don't leave potential buyers in the dark. Be sure to turn on all the lights before you leave your house in the morning —you never know when your house may be shown to those potential buyers.
Copyright © Realty Times
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