Now that winter is here, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. Here are a few common sense tips to follow.
1. Make sure your driveway is always plowed and entryways clear.
2. Keep walkways and stairs clear of snow and ice.
3. 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 through and it leaves a negative impression.
4. Put a large, heavy duty rug in front of the door used for entry to provide space for buyers' wet boots.
5. Let in the light. Push back drapes, open blinds, install higher wattage bulbs.
6. 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. 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
As we roll towards December, it seems like every agent is being asked the same question from their sellers - should I keep my house on the market through the winter? Unless you absolutely do not want to move in the winter, it is usually best to keep your house for sale. There are pros and cons, however. Yes, there are fewer buyers out looking, but these buyers are serious and motivated. Also, at this time of year, there is less inventory meaning less competition for your property. During the holidays there are a number of people coming back home to visit family who may decide to start their house hunt now. If your house is not on the market it for sure will not sell. It only takes one buyer to sell a home. You don't want to miss them by not having your house available to be shown. Looking for an experienced agent to help you sell? Contact me and put my 24 years of knowledge to work for you. 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com.
Having great online photos is the key to selling your house quickly. Below are some must do’s before the photographer arrives.
- Clean & clear kitchen and bathroom counters
- Replace burned out light bulbs
- Remove unnecessary furniture & décor
- Clear refrigerator of magnets, etc.
- Remove floor mats, runners
- Make all beds, fluff pillows, clear off nightstands & dressers
- Remove heavy drapes and unnecessary curtains
- Hide pet bowls, beds, toys
- Tidy the yard, sweep the decks, hide trash cans
- Remove all cars from the driveway
Remember, your goal is to go for the HGTV look. Light, clean, decluttered. Making your house look as appealing as possible will translate to more money in your pocket. Contact me for more valuable tips on prepping your home for sale. Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com, 603-526-4116
Selling and in the throes of packing and moving? Below are some tips to help get through those final days to avoid creating work for yourself at the last minute.
- Don’t leave personal items unless buyers agreed to it. While you may think you are doing them a favor by leaving the bar stools, the buyers could view it differently. You don’t want to be coming back to remove things right before the closing. Always check first.
- Leftover paint, tile, & cleaning supplies. All useful for the new owners, right? Confirm that buyers want it left. It’s not easy to get rid of this stuff at the last minute.
- You may be closing in a week, but you still need to maintain the yard. Having buyers pull up to a house with foot high grass to do their walk-through inspection could be contentious.
- Be sure to understand what stays with the house. Check with your agent before removing anything attached. For example, hooks, shelves, blinds, light fixtures, & TV brackets should be left unless specified otherwise.
- Don’t leave multiple holes in the walls where pictures hung. Take a few minutes to spackle and paint.
Thinking of selling? Contact me and put my 24 years of real estate knowledge to work for you! 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
Every year Remodeling Magazine publishes research on the average return on investment (ROI) on 20 popular home projects in 149 markets across the US. The 2018 report found overall you make back only about 56% of the money spent on renovations. This is down from the last two years where the expectation was at 64%. Of course the ROI varies with the project. In the New England markets, new garage doors have the highest ROI at 99%, followed by siding replacement at 80% and vinyl windows replacements at 75%. Enhancing curb appeal provides higher payback than interior projects.
Spending money on a house does not mean it automatically goes up in equal value. Putting on a $10k roof won't increase the worth of a home by $10k. Buyers expect to purchase a home with a roof that has a reasonable life expectancy. There is a difference between maintenance and enhancement. Bottom line, if you are thinking of selling, replace or repair is better than adding rooms or doing major remodels. Contact me for sound advice on where to spend your money when getting ready to sell! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
- Overpricing – Even in a good market, a house priced too high will just sit.
- Not Prepping Home – Decluttering, depersonalizing, cleaning. All a must do before selling.
- Neglecting Curb Appeal – First impressions count. And you don’t get a second chance at enticing buyers.
- Ignoring Repairs – Poor maintenance will leave buyers wondering what else is wrong with the house. And can be deal killers when the home inspection is done.
- Being Emotional – When a house goes on the market it becomes a commodity and not your home. Making decisions based on emotions will cost you.
- Taking Offense at Low Offers – Buyers are trying to buy at the lowest price they can. An offer is most always a starting point for negotiations.
- Not Hiring a Professional – It’s a fact For Sale by Owners end up selling for less than if they hired a realtor.
If you are thinking of selling and looking for expert guidance throughout the process, then contact me – a certified Seller Representative Specialist! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Picture this – you’re getting ready to sell or trade-in your old car. What do you do? Common sense says you get rid of the years of accumulated stuff, clean it up and make necessary repairs. Why? First of all, no buyer wants to look at a car full of your things. And secondly, you want to maximize how much you can make on the sale by getting it in good condition. In fact, you may even take it to a car detailer. Well, the same holds true when you are ready to sell your house. In order to attract buyers and get the most money for what is probably your largest investment, you need to de-clutter and de-personalize your home and neutralize your décor. The house should be shiny clean from top to bottom including windows. And everything should be in good working order and up to snuff. Hiring a home stager would up the rewards, just like a car detailer. While it is hard to make the leap from living in your home to living in a house ready for the market, it will be time and money well spent with shorter days on market and more money in your pocket at the end! If you are thinking of selling this spring, contact me for more selling advice. 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
Almost every sale entails having a home inspection. Sellers can take steps ahead of time to ensure this goes smoothly. Below are some tips to help prepare for inspection day.
- Make repairs in advance of the scheduled inspection and don’t try to hide what’s not working. If something breaks with no time to fix it, leave a note and how it will be corrected.
- The house should be clean and in showing condition. The inspector and buyers will be going through it in much more detail.
- Provide easy access to the attic, furnace, utilities, and under sinks. An inspector should not have to spend time moving your belongings to inspect.
- Replace any burned out light bulbs.
- Leave a sketch of the septic system so it can be easily found.
- Make plans for both you and any pets to be gone from the property for at least 3 hours.
While it’s a little nerve-racking to have your house so thoroughly examined, taking steps to get ready will help ease the process. Contact me if you would like more tips on preparing your home for sale! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
The answer is “yes”. It is both depending on the property you are trying to buy or sell. I know, the news is full of stories on the shortage of inventory, high demand, and rising prices. The truth is the type of market you face is dependent on the price point and condition. In general, our area does not have enough listings in the price range for the bulk of buyers who are buying. Home prices have reached unaffordable levels for many 1st time buyers. And the downsizing baby boomers have specific needs (newer, 1st floor master, near town amenities, mostly under $400k) for which there is pretty low inventory.
Overall, sales are about the same as 2016 in New London, Sunapee, & Newbury, mainly due to lack of desirable inventory. New London is actually down from last year YTD, thru Oct. With a median price of $342,000 in these 3 towns combined and an average days on market of 127 days, it can be confusing to understand what type of market is in play.
Bottom line, buyers trying to find a move-in ready home under $300k are in a sellers’ market. Sellers with homes that don’t fit the desired condition and price for the bulk of buyers are in a buyers’ market. Whether buying or selling, contact me if you want to know what you are facing!
Figures are based on information from the Northern New England Real Estate Network, Inc. for the period 1/1/16 thru 10/31/16 and 1/1/17 thru 10/31/17.
Donna Forest 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
If you are thinking about selling and wondering if it would be better to wait until spring, here are few reasons why it may make sense to list now:
- There are fewer homes for sale which means less competition for your property.
- There may not be as many buyers out looking but those who are house hunting are serious buyers.
- Prices are expected to appreciate 5% over the next year (CoreLogic). If you are moving to a higher priced home, it could cost more if you wait.
- The process will be quicker as lenders and appraisers are not swamped this time of year.
If you feel it’s time to move on with your life then it may not be worth waiting for the spring market. With proper pricing and enhancing your home for maximum effect, a house will sell regardless of the month. Give me a call to get the Better Homes & Gardens The Milestone Team advantage any time of year. Donna Forest 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com