With both mortgage applications and showings up since the start of the year, it is clear that there are already more people actively looking to buy than in the past few years. This is great news if you are looking to sell! As Spring nears, and buyers get more excited about finding a home, we expect that this activity will continue to pick up!
Reach out to take advantage of our accumulated vast local expertise, experience, and insight. We’d love to make YOU our next success story!
Now is a great time to start getting your house market-ready! Here are some helpful tips!
- Declutter & Clean: These are two of the most important and cost-effective ways to increase value. Remove excess décor, deep clean the entire house, and minimize what you keep on countertops.
- Repairs & Maintenance: Focus on key repairs that you would want to see if you were a buyer. An agent can narrow down your repairs for the best return on investment.
Reach out to take advantage of our accumulated vast local expertise, experience, and insight. We’d love to make YOU our next success story!
If you’re thinking about selling this spring, now is the perfect time to start getting ready. Below are some key steps to take.
- Declutter: Remove excess décor, unnecessary belongings, oversized furniture. Minimize what you keep on kitchen and bathroom countertops.
- Depersonalize: Buyers need to visualize themselves living there. Remove family photos, religious items, unique collectibles, lawn ornaments, etc.
- Clean thoroughly: Deep clean the entire house, including floors, windows, appliances, and bathrooms.
- Paint if needed: Neutral colors are the gold standard when it comes to selling.
- Repairs & Maintenance: Address any needed repairs or deferred maintenance. Service the furnace, get chimney cleaned, service the generator, etc.
Contact me if you would like help prioritizing what you need to be doing now so you spend time and money on projects that will pay off when you sell.
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Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
The post "How to Choose a Moving Company" appeared first on Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life.
Choosing a moving company can be a challenge. It’s often difficult to know what you need and the questions to ask—and how to avoid falling victim to the schemes moving companies sometimes perpetrate on unsuspecting customers. There are a myriad of charges that come with moving a household—fees for supplies, labor, transportation, and other related items and activities. Many moving companies have unusual policies (like charging double travel time) that can be confusing or not adequately disclosed. So, how do you navigate all of this without losing precious time, money, or sanity? What’s the best way to understand exactly what your move requires and the services a moving company offers, and then choose a mover that best meets those needs? The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that most moving company complaints stem from consumers being upset that the mover damaged items, arrived late, billed for unworked hours, or didn’t honor estimates (bait and switch). Your goal is to find a moving company that’s transparent in its offerings, does what it says it’ll do, and charges correctly when the job is done. If you can locate a company that does all of this—and hopefully goes above and beyond—you’ll find that gem that every homeowner hopes for. Moving is stressful. You don’t need to add more to your already-loaded plate by getting wrapped up with companies that provide unwanted problems instead of trustworthy service. Before you hire your next mover, take the time to read this guide on how to choose a moving company. Review the things you should look for in a mover. Go through our tips on choosing a reliable moving company and familiarize yourself with common scams to avoid.
Get Referrals
Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they’ve used to move their belongings. If you’re working with a real estate agent, get referrals for moving companies with an outstanding track record.
Ask for Quotes
Get quotes from at least three movers. Ask them if they charge by the hour or a flat rate (if a flat rate, how many hours of service do you get and what do they charge for overtime?)—and inquire about how many movers the company will assign to your job. Is there a fee for miles, gas, or travel time? What supplies does the mover provide (are there any mandatory charges for blankets, bubble wrap, moving dollies, etc.)? Do they need to see your belongings before giving a guaranteed quote? There are other price-based questions you can ask, depending on your specific scenario, but this should get you moving in the right direction.
Look for Red Flags
Most moving companies won’t charge a deposit before moving your items, so avoid those that do. A mover shouldn’t be anxious to get money from you. Movers who are vague and don’t want to answer questions should raise a huge red flag. Note the professionalism of all company representatives you talk to. Ask movers if they own or rent their van or truck (a reliable moving company will own a van or truck).
Ensure the Mover is Licensed and Insured
All licensed interstate moving companies must have a U.S. Dot number issued by The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you’re moving out of state, you can verify the company’s license through the FMCSA’s website. You can also view the company’s DOT number on the FMCSA website. Are you moving within the state? Investigate any company you’re considering by looking up its business profile through your state’s local consumer affairs agency.
Check the Better Business Bureau
Research all potential moving companies by reviewing their BBB ratings and any complaints against the providers (don’t consider any companies that don’t have a BBB profile or rating). Ideally, the company you choose should have BBB accreditation.
Inquire About Trade Association Accreditation
Go to the moving company’s website and look for an approved seal or logo that distinguishes the mover as part of a related industry trade association or organization. Good movers will probably have the American Moving and Storage Association’s ProMover logo on their website or marketing materials. You can also look up moving companies on the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to see if they’re members in good standing.
Verify the Company’s Address
The moving company you choose should have a brick-and-mortar location and the mover’s address should be listed as business—either in search engine listings or moving company directories. Don’t consider any mover with an address that points to a residential property.
More Tips for Choosing a Reliable Moving Company
Don’t stop your investigation after moving through the guidelines above. Before signing a moving contract, do the following:
- Ask if the company will take an inventory of all your items
- Get a written estimate
- Avoid companies that recently changed their business name
- Inquire about extra fees for moving to or from properties with stairs or elevators
- Ensure there are no blank spaces on your moving contract
- Be wary of guaranteed quotes unless you get them in writing
- Ask about moving insurance
How to Avoid Moving Scams
The most common moving scams that you should be aware of include:
- Bait and switch—when a moving company switches the time or day of your move at the last minute and the move ends up costing you more
- Late pickup or delivery—the mover arrives late, pushing you into a more expensive time slot (or they don’t deliver your items on time, sometimes taking longer than expected to get to your new location so they can charge you more)
- Exorbitant delivery charges and hold hostage—movers occasionally add additional costs to your total and won’t give you your items until you pay all the fees (or fight them)
Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.
It’s natural for us to assign greater value to things we own. This phenomenon is known as the "endowment effect," a theory introduced by American economist Richard Thaler in 1980. One of the classic studies illustrating this effect involves coffee mugs: Group A is shown a mug but doesn’t receive one, and they are asked how much they’d pay for it. On average, their answer is $4. Meanwhile, Group B is given mugs and then asked how much they would need to be paid to part with them. The average response here is $8.
This effect is often seen in sellers as well. Even when shown that similar homes have sold for less, and competing homes are priced lower, sellers still want to price their homes higher. The negative consequences of the endowment effect are that homes take longer to sell, the price ends up “chasing” the market and sellers eventually end up selling for a lower amount than if the house had been initially priced correctly.
Sellers should be mindful of how the endowment effect can influence their pricing decisions. Instead of relying on personal assumptions about the home's value, it’s important to base your pricing on actual market data. Give me a call if you need a Realtor to help you price your way to a successful sale!
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Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
Though many view spring as the ideal time for selling and buying homes, there are compelling reasons to consider listing and purchasing properties during the winter months in New Hampshire.
For Sellers:
- Motivated Buyers: Winter buyers often have urgent needs, like job relocations, that can lead to quicker sales.
- Less Competition: Fewer homes on the market mean your home stands out more.
- Cozy Appeal: Winter in NH allows sellers to highlight the warmth and coziness of their home, making it inviting and appealing. Features like a fireplace, good insulation and efficient heating can be highlighted.
For Buyers:
- Serious Sellers: Sellers in the winter are often motivated, leading to better negotiation opportunities.
- Less Buyer Competition: Fewer active buyers means less competition, potentially giving better selection of homes without the multiple offer situations common in peak seasons.
- Winter Ready: By viewing homes in winter, buyers can gauge how well a home handles the cold — whether it’s adequately insulated, how effective the heating system is, or if there are drafts.
Buying or selling a home in New Hampshire during the winter months might seem unconventional, but it offers unique advantages that can benefit both sellers and buyers. With the right perspective and the help of a local real estate expert, winter can be an excellent time for real estate transactions in the winter wonderland that is New Hampshire!
If you’re thinking of buying, selling or renting, Deb has you covered!
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Deb ReesM: 603-454-8380deb@bhgmilestone.com |
Now that winter is here, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. Here are a few common sense tips to follow.
- Make sure your driveway is always plowed and entryways clear.
- Keep walkways and stairs clear of snow and ice.
- Set thermostat in a vacant house to at least 55 to 60 degrees. A warm house holds more appeal and buyers will take their time looking. If a home is cold, buyers will rush thru and it leaves a negative impression.
- Put a large, heavy-duty rug in front of the door used for entry to provide space for buyers’ wet boots.
- Let in the light. Push back drapes, open blinds, install higher wattage bulbs.
- If you have great summer photos of the yard, leave them out for buyers to view.
If you are looking for an experienced Realtor with the common sense to help sell your house in any season, then give me a call!
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Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
When it comes to selling, it is very tempting to price your house too high. A house is your biggest asset and emotionally it’s hard to be logical about the value. Here’s why you should NOT overprice your house.
- Timing is everything. The greatest potential for buyer traffic is in the first 2-3 weeks. If priced high initially, you miss this window of opportunity.
- Overpriced listings will not get shown. Agents & savvy buyers will only look at properties they feel are fairly priced.
- It benefits the competition by acting as a selling point for market-priced homes. It’s a cue to buyers to say “I can get a similar house for less!”
- Lender trouble. Even if you found a buyer willing to pay more (a BIG IF), the loan is based on accurate appraisals. Appraisers base value on comparable sold properties.
- Overpriced homes sit on the market longer and then buyers think there may be issues with the property itself.
Nothing hurts the selling process more than overpricing a property. It is the number one reason why houses don’t sell.
If you are looking for an agent who will give you an accurate, “must know” market pricing, then give me a call.
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Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
When you're thinking about selling your home, decluttering is a great first step! Here are some ways to make the process easier.
1. Come Up with a Timeframe
Once you know when you want to sell your house creating an attainable timeframe is key. That way it is more manageable to tackle the decluttering process. Once you know your timeframe for selling it'll make breaking up the process easier, whether you have weeks or months before listing.
2. Break Up the Process
Depending on your timeframe come up with a goal for decluttering. Whether it is one item each day or one area at a time. Maybe breaking up the process by category would work best for you, such as clothing, kitchenware, holiday decorations, etc. By making the main goal into small attainable projects, it will make the overall process a lot easier to overcome!
3. Write a List
A great way to help keep your decluttering goal on task is to write a checklist. It's so fulfilling to check off an item!
4. This is Still Your Home
While decluttering is great, don't declutter just to declutter. Your home does not need to look perfect in order to sell, but organizing and staging your home will help potential buyers imagine themselves in the space. Plus, it will make the photographs of your home look even better!
5. Is this a Job for Me or the Professionals?
If you have no idea where to start or feel overwhelmed by the process, hiring professionals might be your best option! There are great companies that can show you how to organize and declutter your space by teaching tricks that will help you in the future.
6. What to do After You Declutter
While you are decluttering it would be a good idea to create different piles or bins for every item you no longer need. Instead of throwing everything in the trash, make a donation, sell, or gift piles, that way your no-longer-needed items can go on to another home.
Contact us for more useful tips if you are thinking of selling! For the best selling, buying, or renting experience, call "The Best Team in Town" at 603-526-4116!
Sources:
https://www.stpaulrealestateblog.com/clean-declutter-eliminate/
https://www.homelight.com/blog/how-to-clean-out-a-house-to-sell/