Now that winter has arrived, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. In order to keep your home in top showing condition, here are a few common sense tips to follow.
- Always keep your driveway plowed and entryways clear.
- Clear snow and ice from walkways, stairs, and decks.
- Make sure there are interior rugs in front of entry doors to protect your floors.
- Have a vacant house heated to at least 50 degrees. A warm house holds more appeal and encourages buyers to take their time looking. Buyers will rush through cold homes and it leaves a negative impression.
- Maximize lighting. Open drapes and turn on lights to shake off winter gloom.
- Have a good map to show where your septic system is. If your house goes under contract and a septic inspection is scheduled, it will speed along the process.
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, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Yes, it is true, housing inventory is tighter than normal. It's not REALTORS just trying to get your business. While many houses have moved off the market quickly, this doesn't mean every house is snatched up as soon as it is for sale. Overpriced and unprepared homes still sit on the market. If you want to sell, you need to get your home in order. When you put your house on the market you are entering a price war and a beauty contest. The ideal way to compete is to offer your house in the best condition at the best price. Visualize this - a buyer looks at 6 homes similarly priced. Three aredated and tired in appearance, two are somewhat updated but still need work, and the sixth one is immaculate and renovated. Guess which one will attract the buyer?! As a seller, you need to assess what improvements/repairs are needed. Your agent can help determine what projects will have the most value to buyers. And you can help determine what projects will have the most value to buyers. And you should get the work done prior to putting the house on the market. The old adage is true, "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression." Having your home in top notch condition and properly priced will help position you for a successful and timely sale. Contact me for a free Home Enhancement Guide and more practical advice on prepping a house! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com.
If you are thinking of selling your house this spring, now would be a good time to start preparing. Most homes could benefit from sprucing up and de-cluttering. Putting a house up for sale without prep usually means a lower price and longer time on the market. Here are a few tips so you can be ready for the spring market.
- De-clutter. Remove/rearrange furniture so rooms appear larger.
- De-personalize. Pack up collections, clear knick-knacks, remove personal photos, etc.
- Paint. Freshen up rooms; use nature and spa-inspired colors.
- Modernize. Update cabinet hardware, replace lighting, paint dark cabinets.
- Make repairs. Both large and small.
- Deep clean. Make every surface shine from baseboards to ceiling fans.
Looking for more advice on how to entice buyers? Contact me to arrange for a personalized list on how to enhance your house before putting it on the market. 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
Ghosts and goblins are not the only scary things this time of year. I’ve been out showing homes lately and have run across a number of buyer turn-offs. Here are some sure-fire ways to leave buyers screaming in horror (OK – I exaggerate a little, but you get the picture).
- Ignore home maintenance. Nothing like a really old roof or rotted siding to indicate there are probably more problems lurking around.
- Over-decorate. Have tons of family photos and personal collections scattered around. No need to help buyers envision themselves in your house.
- Keep lots of furniture stuffed into the rooms. Buyers like small rooms, right?
- Sell your house empty. It’s not about the emotion. (Or is it?)
- Don’t bother with cleaning. Who cares about smudged windows, dirty switch plates, and black grout in the shower?
Selling a home is not easy and requires preparation in order to sell for the most money and in a reasonable time frame. Contact me to work with someone who can help you avoid buyer turn-offs. It pays to do everything right. Donna Forest, Broker Associate, 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com
A basement is the foundation of a home, however sellers often overlook it. A damp or wet basement can alarm potential buyers. Cobwebs, clutter, mold, leaky pipes, etc., all send a negative signal. Here are some tips to ensure that your basement does not derail the sale of your house.
- If you have a water problem in your basement, FIX IT! A damp basement can rot sills and wood beams, compromising the structural integrity. There are companies out there that specialize in fixing wet basements.
- De-clutter. This allows buyers to see how they can use the space.
- Clean up cobwebs, make sure all the lights work. Having buyers walk face first in to a giant cobweb does not endear the house to them.
- By nature, basements are damp in the summer - run a dehumidifier.
- Have your furnace checked. Make repairs on any leaking pipes.
As you prepare your house to go on the market, it's important not only to spruce up the living spaces, but the basement as well. Feel free to email or call me if you'd like a free booklet on how to enhance your house for a successful sale. 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com.
Are your listing photos killing the sale of your house? Did you know over 90% of buyers will start their search online and 83% of buyers rated photos as the most useful website feature? Which means buyers are weeding out the houses they don’t want to see even before they go out with an agent. All based on photos. I am constantly amazed at the bad photos when looking at our MLS – kitchens with cluttered countertops and refrigerators covered with papers, bedrooms littered with clothes & toys and unmade beds, heavy curtains suffocating windows, living rooms with too much furniture and too many decorations, etc. Not to mention the blurry photos, shots of useless areas like hallways, camera flash back from windows and mirrors, and shooting from bad angles. My advice? If you truly want to sell your home, you should be preparing the house before photos are taken. Clean up, de-clutter, remove excess furniture, and yes, get all that stuff off of your refrigerator & countertops! You also should double check how the photos look online and ask your agent to re-take anything you think looks bad. Do not underestimate the power of photography! If you are looking for an agent to give you straight advice on prepping your property for sale, then give me a call! 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.comStatistics from the National Association of REALTORS® 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
There are common mistakes that many sellers make when they go to sell their house. As a professional with over 20 years of selling experience, here are my top 5 picks to avoid.
- Overpricing. It’s the kiss of death in a buyers’ market. Be realistic in your pricing and listen to the advice of your Realtor.
- Not getting the house ready to sell. Don’t expect to sell if you have done nothing to prepare it for the market. De-clutter, update, paint, repair, landscaping; the list goes on. Ask your Realtor what you need to do before putting it on the market.
- Being emotionally attached. Yes, your house is your home – except for when it goes on the market. Time to switch gears and understand that it has become a commodity that is competing with other properties for a buyer.
- Not Trusting Your Realtor. Unless you have a good reason to believe otherwise, you should listen to and solicit whatever advice your agent can give you. They are the ones who do this for a living day in and day out – take advantage of their knowledge.
- Ignoring Lowball Offers. Don’t be insulated if you get a low offer. Set emotions aside and view this as a starting point to getting your house sold.
Visit my website for other useful tips at www.DonnaForest.com. 603-526-4116
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
First impressions count! I’ve seen buyers pull up to a house and refuse to go in because the outside held no appeal. The exterior of your home should serve as a snapshot of what buyers will see when they go inside. Here are 7 affordable ways to spruce up your curb appeal:
- Redo the front door with fresh paint and new hardware.
- Replace old exterior light fixtures.
- Patch and reseal the driveway.
- Trim trees and bushes.
- Wash dirt off sidewalks, driveways, decks, etc.
- Lay mulch down for a fresh appearance to landscaping.
- Plant flowers along the walkway/place container plants by front door.
These simple but effective steps will go a long way to improving curb appeal. Contact me if you would like expert advice on getting your home ready to sell. donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com, 603-526-4116
For most people, selling their home is an emotional experience. Many memories are tied up in a house. As your house goes on the market, you need to bear in mind an important thing – your home has just become a commodity. Your goal is to have other buyers see it as their potential home. As difficult as it sounds, failure to make this emotional disconnect can cost you buyers. Part of preparing a house for sale is to depersonalize it by removing family photos, trophies, knick-knacks, etc. This allows buyers to visualize themselves in the space without being distracted. A house with personality is great – just try to keep the “person” out of it. For more selling tips, visit my website www.DonnaForest.com. Call me if you want to put my 20 years of experience to work for you! 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com
As we get into December, it seems like every agent is asked the same question from their sellers. Should I keep my house on the market over the winter? There are pros and cons, however, unless you absolutely do not want to move in the winter, I believe it usually is best to keep your house for sale. 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 home available to be shown. Looking for an experienced agent? Contact me and put my 20 years of knowledge to work for you - Donna Forest 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com.