Now that winter is here, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. In order to keep your home in showing condition, here are a few common sense tips to follow.
- Keep your driveway plowed and entryways clear.
- Keep walkways and stairs clear of snow and ice.
- Don’t let snow pile up on the roof and decks. At some point, too much snow on the roof can cause ice dams, leaks, and even structural failure. The same goes with decks.
- Keep a vacant house heated to at least 50 degrees. A warm house holds more appeal and will allow buyers to take their time looking. Buyers will rush through cold homes and it leaves a negative impression. If you are an absentee seller, set up fuel for automatic delivery.
- 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.
- Have a backup plan for extended power outages. This holds especially true for absentee sellers. Having the power out for even a day can cause pipes to freeze.
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
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
Getting a home under contract can sometimes be challenging enough. However, it’s still not time to break out the champagne once it happens. According to a survey of over 4000 REALTORS® by the National Association of REALTORS® in September 2014, about 15% of pending sales didn’t close as the buyers couldn’t obtain financing, about 3% did not close due to appraisal issues, and another 3-4% didn’t close due to home inspection issues. So what can you do? Be mentally prepared that most likely there will be hurdles to overcome and the closing date may not be concrete. Have a home inspection prior to putting your house on the market and make needed repairs so you can avoid post-contract negotiations or worse, giving the buyers reason to walk from the contract. Be aware that tighter lending regulations can slow the process - anything from the house not appraising to last minute negotiations that create delays due to new lending rules. It’s a complex process and that’s why you need a knowledgeable REALTOR® to help navigate your way to a successful closing. Contact me and put my 20 years of experience to work for you! 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com
You’ll be moving in the right direction with Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
There are many elements that combine to make a successful sale. One that you have control over is the showing of your house. Here are 6 tips to help get your house sold.
- Make it as easy as possible to schedule a showing. Yes, a 24 hr. notice would be nice, however, in this kind of market, do whatever it takes to get a buyer inside.
- Always have your house in ready to show condition. But don’t avoid a showing if it’s in less than ideal shape.
- Have pets out of the house during the showing.
- Light and bright sells. Remove dark curtains, put in higher wattage bulbs, clean windows, etc.
- Make sure your door locks work smoothly. If it is difficult to unlock the door, a buyer will already be thinking “poor maintenance.”
- Keep the entry clear of obstacles and make it attractive. Dragging buyers through cluttered garages or walkways, negotiating uneven steps, or avoiding pet “land mines” are a sure turn-off.
Looking for a REALTOR® to help you be successful in selling your house? Give me a call! Donna Forest 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com
If your house has been on the market longer than expected with minimal activity, it’s time to review the 4 things that impact selling: Price, Condition, Location, and Marketing.
- Price – Evaluate the market with your agent to see the recent solds and new listings. Discuss where your house fits into this market data. Now may be the time for a price reduction.
- Condition – Look at your house through buyers’ eyes. Spruce up, fix problems, de-clutter. Review feedback from showings to see if any issues need to be addressed.
- Location – If you are located close to the road or are in a very rural area, for example, you can only overcome a poor location by lower pricing.
- Marketing Plan – Review where your property has been marketed with your agent. Look for heavy internet exposure, make sure you are in the area's Multiple Listing Service, and discuss the target market.
It takes time to market and sell a home, especially in this buyers’ market. It’s important to have realistic expectations about how long it does take to sell - talk to your agent about the average days on market for similar houses in your price range. If you’re looking for an experienced REALTOR® who has the expertise to get your home sold, then give me a call. 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com.
If you want to sell your home in this market, there are steps you should take to get your house ready. The first one is to mentally prepare yourself that you probably will need to spend money in order to sell. In today’s market there are plenty of houses for sale and not enough buyers. Sellers are competing with other sellers to get their property sold. The best way to compete is to offer your house in the best condition and at the best price. Visualize this – a buyer looks at 6 homes in the same price range. Three are dated and tired in appearance, two are somewhat updated but still need work, and the sixth one is immaculate and updated. Guess which one will attract the buyer. So your next step, as a seller, is to assess what improvements or repairs need to be made. Have your agent walk through with you to determine what should be completed. It is important not to spend time or money on projects that will not have value to buyers. Lastly, 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 priced competitively will help position you for a successful sale in a timely fashion. Contact me to work with a REALTOR® who can best advise you for success! 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com
Not all remodeling projects deliver the same bang for the buck when it comes to resale. If you are planning to sell soon and think that renovations will increase the value of your home, then some research might be in order. Studies suggest that most renovation projects do increase the value, however, the increase is typically less than the cost of the project. Generally, a homeowner will experience a return of 60% to 80% on the dollar at resale. Some of the more cost effective improvements are minor kitchen remodel, deck addition, and window replacements. Keep in mind the cost recouped can be affected by the quality of finish and even the type of neighborhood and local conditions.
Probably the biggest advantage that remodeling has is the fact that it increases the appeal of your home to buyers. A gleaming state of the art kitchen with granite countertops and bathrooms with tile and glass can sell a house more quickly than a home with an outdated kitchen and old appliances. Email me at donna@donnaforest.com if you would like a free copy of the 2014 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. 603-526-4116
When selling your house, the emphasis is usually on the interior. However, good landscaping can make the difference between a buyer wanting to see the house or not. And since most buyers look on line first, it’s even more important to have good exterior photos. Here are a few do’s and don’ts:
- Keep the landscaping natural with native plants and interesting foliage. Rounded junipers and topiary shrubs are out.
- Steer away from planting a high-maintenance yard. Few buyers want to invest serious time in pruning, mowing, etc.
- Get rid of any lawn ornaments.
- Avoid the “new construction” look – barren yards lack appeal.
- Maintain what landscaping you have. Overgrown hedges, bushes too close to the house, hanging tree limbs over roofs, and roots buckling the driveway send the message that the inside of the house is ill-kept as well.
Properties with high quality plants and mature landscaping create a competitive advantage over homes with bare bones landscaping. An important factor considering today’s market! Contact me to work with a REALTOR® who can help you get a competitive advantage on selling. 603-526-4116, donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com.
No, I’m not referring to your evening cocktail! I’m talking about water. More specifically, water from a private well. Many of us just assume when we turn on the faucet, the water is safe to drink – especially if it is from a drilled well. The reality is many wells have unhealthy levels of naturally occurring arsenic, radon, or other contaminants that have been linked to cancer and toxicity. DES estimates that 20% of private wells in NH have more arsenic than is allowed in public water systems. Many contaminants have no taste, odor, or color so testing is the only way to detect them. The good news is that if you sample your well and find contaminants, treatment systems are available. While there is no state requirement, DES recommends that well owners test their water every 3-5 years. To get more information on testing recommendations and a list of accredited labs, visit www.des.nh.gov. If you are selling, it is in your best interest to test your well water and know ahead of time if there are any issues. Almost every buyer will have an inspection done and will want to know how safe the drinking water really is. Bottom line, whether buying, selling, or just staying put, it makes good sense to get your water tested! If you are buying or selling, contact me and put my 20 years of experience to work for you. donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com, 603-526-4116.
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.
It’s time to go to the closing. How should buyers & sellers prepare so all goes smoothly? While the closing agent (an attorney or title company) handles most of the details, there are some actions you can take to avoid last minute surprises. Be sure you know where the closing is and at what time and bring photo ID. Your REALTOR® should review the closing statement with you for accuracy prior to the closing. Buyers should bring closing funds in the form of a certified or cashier’s check. Funds can also be wired, as long as it’s done in time to arrive for the closing. This usually means at least a day ahead. Wiring is not instantaneous. Sellers should bring the new deed, keys, and paid receipts if work had to be completed as part of the contract. Be aware that it is customary for the closing agent to disburse monies after depositing collected funds and recording the deed at the appropriate Registry of Deeds. This means there could be a delay in disbursement after the actual closing. Again, keep in mind that even wired funds take some time. The bottom line is that if you’re well prepared, closing day will be exciting and stress-free! Call me if you want to work with a REALTOR® who will make your closings stress-free. 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com
Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate
The purchasing decision of a buyer is actually a lifestyle choice. Even though price is an important factor, it really boils down to how the house makes the buyer feel. Sellers need to prepare their property to appeal to the emotional side of buyers. This can be done by creating a series of impressions that help buyers imagine living in the home. Here are some useful tips for preparing your house for sale.
- Uncluttering is the most important and least expensive step. No one wants a house that feels small. You need to show buyers there is room for their things.
- Cleaning. A sparkling clean house tells buyers how well-cared for the home is.
- Be odor neutral. Pet smells and odors are an immediate turn-off. And no, Glade plug-ins are not the answer.
- Repair anything that needs fixing. This will show buyers there is no work to be done and the house is move-in ready.
- Staging. You want to evoke emotions that this is ”home”. Rearrange furniture, buy new shower curtains & towels, replace dated light fixtures, etc.
When a buyer steps through the door, you control over 70% of their first impressions. Lack of cleanliness, clutter, and odor are the top objections that impact buyers and are the least expensive to fix. Give me a call if you want to put my home selling expertise to work for you, 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com