Tag Archives: showings

15 Best Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

Reposted from freshome

The value that you have in your home is the single most important reason why you own instead of rent a home. In the this recent economy of falling house values and unstable housing market statistics, every home owner should know how to put more value back into their homes. Although making home improvements is not a sure-fire way to increase the value, it will at the very least make you more competitive against your competition.  Use these tips to increase the value of your home and enjoy the rewards when it is time to sell your home.

1.) Update kitchen appliances: The most sought after room in your home is the kitchen. It is worth the most per square foot and will make the difference of your home appealing to buyers or not.  If your appliances are more than 3-5 years old consider updating them to the comfortability of your wallet. A newer model, a more designer finish, or more features will help home buyers take a second glance at your kitchen.  For top of the line appliances consider stainless steel and professional series lines.

2.) Kitchen cabinetry makes the look: When you walk into a kitchen the first thing you notice is the cabinets. Cabinetry is at the top of the percentage of kitchen costs, but also shows the most return.  Opt for wood over laminate surfaces and add custom features like crown molding, wine racks, glazing, and custom woodworking to set your kitchen apart from your competition. Reface cabinets and add door and drawer hardware for less expensive updating.

3.) Add value by upgrading your countertops: Any room you have countertops – kitchen, bathroom, bars, or utility rooms the more money you can spend into a higher end countertop the better. Plastic laminate countertops are considered the lower end grade, solid surfacing, concrete and granite is considered to be the higher end grade. Consider overlay countertops that are made from composite granite/resin combination for the look of granite at a fraction of the cost.

4.) Flooring is a forgotten upgrade: The rule of thumb for flooring is the more resilient and long lasting, the higher the upgrade is, but the higher return is on investment (ROI). Vinyl flooring and low end carpet is at the bottom of the upgrade spectrum.  Consider wood, tile, and natural stone for flooring options to add value to your home.

5.) Upgrade plumbing fixtures in kitchen and bathrooms: If your plumbing fixtures are more than 10 years old, consider upgrading them. If you have standard grade fixtures, such as chrome finish, opt for higher end finishes and materials. Brushed nickel, antique copper and brass fixtures are relatively inexpensive to replace.  At kitchen sinks choose plumbing fixture collections that offer matching faucet, control, and sink sprayer.  Similarly in bathrooms, choose bathtub/shower/and sink controls that coordinate for a unified look throughout your home.

6.) Master bedrooms should feel like a retreat: The master bedroom or suite as some like to refer to it is a high commodity for home buyers.  Upgrade flat ceilings to raised tray ceilings and allow for several lighting options.  Recessed lighting with dimmers, lighting wall sconces help create an ambiance that has a high value in appeal and for the value of your home.

7.) Upgrade master bathroom with spa-like features: Part of the master bedroom is the master bathroom.  Buyers want to have spa features from the shower to the over-sized garden tub.  Similarly to the kitchen, put upgrades where you can most afford it.  Upgraded tiled floors and showers will add value over pre manufactured units.  Jetted soaking tubs, multisprayer showers and large square footage will also add value to your overall home.

8.) State of art audio and sound: Consider adding surround sound systems in your living areas as well as master bedroom area for a notch above your competition.  If you are selling electronics with your home, plasma and flat screen televisions are a plus and media rooms are now becoming well sought after. Add seating areas for multiple screen viewing and add theater sound if considering a media room. These upgrades will be an amenity that adds value and buyer appeal.

9.) Eco-friendly homes bring in a higher value: In this green modern age, eco conscious upgrades have a big return on investment. From water saving plumbing fixtures to tankless hot water heaters, investing in the earth can add value to your home.  Choose rapidly renewable resources for finishes like bamboo flooring and opt for systems that save on energy costs.  Regardless of the method, green living upgrades are always worth the investment.

10.) A fully usable garage is an asset: A garage can add usable storage space for the home buyer as well as dry, clean area for parking cars. All homes don’t have garages and therefore can add value on to your home. If your home is on the market, spend time cleaning and organizing your garage so it can be shown.  Install garage wall or ceiling organizing shelves to fully take advantage of vertical storage and space.

11.) Invest in curb appeal: To be able to meet the demands of the average home buyer you will need to create curb appeal. A well manicured lawn, trimmed landscaping and clean drive and sidewalks will help bring greater buyer appeal, and in turn will add value on to your home.  Keep your flower beds free of weeds and full of thriving and colorful plants.  Nothing says ‘buy me’ like a front yard that has quality upkeep behind it.

12.) Have fully functioning irrigation system: The more ways you can add convenience of time and energy to a home buyer, the greater appeal is created for your home.  An irrigation system that works properly and covers the full yard can add value.  Consider having a maintenance check by an irrigation professional that can service and recommend the proper maintenance of your irrigation system.

13.) The more closets the better: At the top of buyers’ lists is always storage.  The more you can provide the more value you add on to your home price.  Make sure closets are fully functioning and are not being used to hold so many belongings that a home buyer can’t see how much space the closet offers.  When choosing how to upgrade your home, storage is one of the easiest and often overlooked suggestions.

14.) A quality roof is a plus: The roof of your home protects and beautifies the structure beneath.  A quality roof will add value to your home and reduce the risk of damage in the near future.  For roofs older than 15 years, consider having a roofer inspect and possibly replace. Upgrade from asphalt shingles to clay tiles, copper, slate or standing metal seam to add durability and value.

15.) Windows are for more than viewing: Your windows are the source for your light, but also the source for conditioned air gain and loss.  Upgrade to windows with higher R values to resist heat and cold transfer from the outdoors. Double paned windows, windows with integral window treatments and insulated varieties all equate to saving energy and therefore will add more value to your home.

Spend the money now to invest in your home.  The value that you create now will increase in time. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home soon, you will enjoy the upgrades that are made and in turn will add value to your own life.  Use these 15 tips to increase the value of your home and enjoy the process.

Protecting your home for sale: NBC 33 News Interview with Janet Anderson

This month is National Realtor Safety Week. In light of a recent arrest in the Baton Rouge area, NBC 33 interviewed Janet Anderson about how sellers can keep their home safe when showing it to the general public. Click the link below for the video and article.

NBC 33 News – Consumer Alert: Protect your “for sale” home from theft

Tips to Keep Your Home Safe During Showings and Open House

As real estate agents we take special precaution to make sure that while showing a home we are looking out for both the interests of the person looking, as well as the homeowner and their valuables. However, we are only human and professional criminals have devised tricks that even the most experienced agents may not realize are putting the home in jeopardy. For Sale by Owners are especially vulnerable as they are left with the responsibility of showing their own home without turning off the potential buyer by smothering them with attention. If you are a For Sale by Owner, here are some tips to make sure that you and your home are safe when opening your home to strangers.

1. It goes without saying, lock up all of your valuables in a safe or a cabinet. Keep expensive jewelry, money, or keepsakes out of view and while showing the home try to avoid wearing flashy jewelry. Never tell anyone that you have recently had surgery or anything that would indicate you have medication in the house. Criminals will ask to use your restroom and then steal them from your medicine cabinet.

2. Have an “escape” route from your home. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster exit.

3. When prospects begin to arrive, jot down their car description, license number and physical description.

4. DO NOT, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, allow a stranger to tour your open house BY THEMSELVES! Stay alongside them at all times. Direct them, by gesturing for them to lead and saying things like, “the kitchen is on your left.” Keep a watchful eye on how they act and what they touch. Especially note anyone who opens and closes cabinets. This could indicate they are looking for things that may be hidden such as medications or jewelry. You don’t want any of your possessions walking out the door.

5. Never show people through your open house on your own. However, if that is unavoidable then consider these options:

– Make appointments and open your house by appointment only.
– Let your spouse, friend or neighbor know when you have open house appointments.
– Arrange to ring your spouse, friend or neighbor as soon as the open house appointment is finished.
– Have a prearranged time for your spouse, friend or neighbor to phone you
if you haven’t already phoned them back.
– Have a prearranged PASSWORD you can use on the phone if you are in any way uncomfortable with the situation. The password code might be something as simple as “don’t forget the birthday cake.”

6. Never tell a stranger that you can’t show them the house because you won’t be home. That is an open invitation to any criminal. Simply say something like “I’ll be busy then… how about 10:30 instead?”

7. While showing the home, try to avoid answering distractions like children or phones. These provide great opportunities for criminals to steal things while you aren’t paying attention.

8. After showing the home, check every window and door to make sure they are locked. Sometimes criminals will unlock windows and break back into the house later.

Go with your gut instinct. If you feel anything is suspicious try to coax them out as calmly as possible or call the police. Remember, your life is more valuable than your belongings so if something does go wrong, get out immediately!

Quick Tips for Boosting Curb Appeal

Many homebuyers will drive through a neighborhood to catch a glimpse of a home for sale and decide on the spot whether it’s worth touring. This “curb appeal,” or first impression, is very important to attracting qualified buyers who are more interested in what they see now as opposed to the home’s potential.

It is important to attract as many qualified buyers as possible. One way to do this is by boosting the curb appeal. In preparing your home for sale, it is necessary to envision your home through the buyers’ eyes. There are many ways to freshen up the appearance of your home that doesn’t require remodeling the kitchen or finishing the basement. Below are some helpful suggestions that can make a big difference in how your home is presented to qualified buyers.

  • Mow the lawn; trim trees and shrubs away from the house.
  • Clean and repair all gutters and downspouts.
  • Take out window screens and wash all windows.
  • Remove dead plants, flowers and shrubs.
  • Clean or repaint outdoor furniture.
  • Put away tools, garbage cans, hoses, toys and building materials.
  • Keep patios and decks clear of planters, flower pots, charcoal and barbecues.
  • Power wash the home’s siding or brick to remove any excess debris.
  • Repaint or refinish trim around windows and doors.
  • Check for broken roof shingles.
  • Seal or resurface driveway.
  • Clean or repaint the mailbox.
  • Dress up front yard shrubs & flower beds with fresh mulch.

10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Home

Reposted from ApartmentTherapy.com – 10 Things to Check Before You Buy a Home

We’ve learned the hard way that there’s some very important things that should be checked before signing the papers to buy a new home. Sure you can have someone do an inspection and look over the place to make sure you’re termite and flood damage free, but these things fall into a different category — the immediate honey-do list!

Even though there will always be cosmetic changes to make to a new home, trying to avoid costly repairs upon first moving in is always a bonus. Being able to save that money for the dining table of your dreams, or even just for gas and groceries can be extra beneficial. Here’s a few things we suggest checking before you sign the papers and inherit all of the previous tenants past problems.

1. Check The Drains: This might sound silly, but we’ve had two homes with the same issues in the last several years. Somewhere between the house and the sewer line, there’s a backup. Usually tree branches or a collapsed pipe, but either way, it’s hard to spot unless you run a load of laundry, fill up the tub and sinks and let them all attempt to drain at the same time.

2. Open All The Windows: Replacing windows isn’t fun and it isn’t cheap either. Open them all to find out if they stick, are stuck or just plain old won’t open.

3. Turn On All The Faucets: Although changing out faucets isn’t exactly rocket science it’s always a pain to lay under a cabinet and reach for the sky with funny tools to get things removed. Just check to make sure they all work before buying to eliminate the back ache.

4. Light A Fire In The Fireplace: Even though chimneys are usually installed by professionals, that doesn’t mean they’re always in pristine shape. Cleaning them is as simple as a phone call to a local chimney sweep, but finding out if all the fireplaces in the home draft correctly is another.

5. Taste The Water: This lesson is always learned the hard way. Even if your city has great water, your pipes might be old enough that they’ll send a little extra something out of the tap and into your glass. Knowing up front if you’ll need to install a whole house filter or invest in a few Brita pitchers is always helpful.

6. Flush The Toilets: Knowing that all the toilets in the home can handle toilet paper is a bonus. Although they’re easy enough to replace or fix, finding ones that flush well are a bonus. If you’re dissatisfied they could issue you money back to make the replacement in order to get you to sign on the dotted line!

7. Open The Electrical Panel: A clean and labeled panel is a happy panel. Something that looks like squirrels got up inside can signal trouble. Look for loose wires or ones that simply don’t connect to anything. It could signal that there’s live wires inside the walls!

8. Turn On The Heat/Air: Knowing that both of these things work prior to actually needing them can be a serious bonus. Check to make sure they blow their respective temperatures in addition to just turning on.

9. Pull The Carpet Back: Before you move in, you’ll want to find out if there’s hardwood floors and also any mold or mildew under the carpets. Look for the lowest side of the room and if possible pull a corner back. Many homeowners will have a section of carpet removed in a closet to allow you to see the condition of the floors below.

10. Moisture: Although most home inspectors will sniff this one out for you, look for signs of dampness. Even if the walls aren’t apparently wet, look for things like dehumidifiers, bucks of silica or other things that grab moisture from the air and keep it at bay. If the home owners are smart enough to move these things, look for places near outlets that look clean (or leave a dust ring) where something like this might have sat.

Do you have one to add to the list? Share your tip (and story behind it) in the comments below!

Preparing to Show Your Home on a Moment's Notice

As much as we would love every potential buyer to provide plenty of advanced notice before scheduling a showing, that is not always the case. Follow these quick tips to ready your home for its best showing when you have 30 or fewer minutes’ notice.

Start where the potential buyers will start:
• Make sure that the front door presents well. Sweep steps, if needed.
• Pick up any out-of-place objects and store them away quickly.

Head inside:
• Open window treatments and turn on lights.
• Put any dirty dishes into the dishwasher.
• Make the beds.
• Put any dirty laundry inside the washing machine.

If you still have time:
• Run a quick vacuum to give carpets and floors a fresh look.
• Wipe down counters and tabletops.
• Warm some vanilla on the stove to give the house a welcoming scent.

While we would all like to have our houses in showroom condition 24 hours a day, we also acknowledge that we live in them. Do your best to present your house in its best light and make sure that every potential buyer has an opportunity to view it—accommodate all showings possible.

Selling Your Home

Selling your home involves much more than just placing a “For Sale” sign in your yard and going to the closing. As a REALTOR®, we are here to help you prepare your home for sale, market your home, and guide you through the sale process to ensure you sell your home within your time frame and get the best price possible.

As your REALTOR®, we will determine the correct price range for your home, point out things you should do to make your home more appealing to buyers, and devise the most effective plan of action. Here are some of the steps we will take to sell your home:

  • Review the selling process–without the technical jargon
  • Perform a comparative market analysis
  • Determine the list and target prices
  • Market your property
  • Keep communication open
  • Present the purchase agreement

Factors That Affect Your Home’s Sale

There are three main factors that determine how marketable your home–price, financing, and time.

Price – If your home is priced too high, you must be willing to wait much longer for your home to sell. Either it will take that much longer to find someone to pay more than the home is worth, or the market will eventually catch up to the asking price of the home through inflation.

Financing – You may not realize it, but the financing of your buyer can have a tremendous impact on the success of selling your home. Try to offer very attractive financing options. Consider carrying the financing yourself at a below-market interest rate or preparing your home for government financing. This could open the door for many buyers that otherwise wouldn’t even consider your home.

Time – If your time frame is important then you must be willing to lower the price.

How Much Should You Ask for Your Home?

Of course you want to get the full market value for your home. The first step to getting the best price is to determine your home’s value. As your REALTOR®, we can help you set an asking price by taking the following factors into consideration:

  • Your home’s value may depend on recent selling prices of comparable homes in your area. After reviewing the selling prices for such homes, the price is adjusted according to current market trends.
  • Buyers most likely look in the price range determined by their monthly payment ability and down payment. Buyers are often very knowledgeable in their price range and purchase by comparison. Unreasonable asking prices are an immediate turn-off.
  • Inviting a potential buyer to make an offer shows that you are willing to bargain. However, if your asking price is outrageous, the buyer’s offer will most likely also be unreasonable.
  • It’s necessary to offer pricing, terms and conditions that are competitive in your market. This will help you sell faster and get the full market value.