Home Sellers

Home Sellers

The Worst Thing a Seller Can Do in a Hot Market

Today, I’m diving into an important topic that could make a big difference in the amount of money you net from your home sale.  The market is hot. There are more buyers who need houses than houses for sale. That means your home is in demand and it’s not even listed yet! That sounds like great news for you and it is! As a result of this, I know potential sellers are thinking… Hmm maybe we should just put a sign up in the front yard and see what happens. The truth is, the worst thing you can do as a seller in a hot market is to do it alone. So before you head to the local hardware store for that “For Sale By Owner” sign, keep reading. I know you’re doing the math and figuring out how much selling your home on your own could potentially save you… but I wanted to shed some light on a few important things to consider before you decide to go that route. If you’re looking to the internet to determine what price to list your home at, you could be losing a significant amount of money. Online home values aren’t always entirely accurate which means basing your list price on what the internet is saying could result in you leaving money on the table. Contracts and Negotiations can feel like a foreign language if you’re not a real estate professional. Not understanding how to navigate these or have someone work in your best interest could result in sticky situations and money lost. Demand – when you’re in a hot market, one of the greatest benefits to the seller is that they’re typically in the driver’s seat. When there are more buyers than listings for sale, your house can spark a bidding war when it hits the market. However, without an agent helping you prep your home for the market, price it strategically, market it with modern methods and really get it out there, you’re missing out on that demand. You might have a buyer or two but that isn’t going to drive the price up like it would if you had someone working for you. My best advice I can give to someone thinking about selling is this – Before you make the decision to do it alone, do some research and find an agent who has good reviews, comes highly recommended and who you can learn something about before reaching out. What does their experience look like? What are their clients saying? Then schedule a consultation with them to see how they can help you net the most money possible from your home sale.  Successful home selling is rooted in doing your research and making smart decisions that are going to position you in the best place possible when your house hits the market!

Home Sellers

Top Home Renovations for Maximum ROI

This fact might surprise you: The average home improvement project does not tend to have a 100% return on initial investment. You might be thinking – why would I remodel then? The reasons range from the added enjoyment you’ll get from having that brand new kitchen to staying in line with other homes in the area who are investing in these upgrades. However, if you’re looking for a project with 100% ROI, these are some of the top options you should consider. Upgraded Landscaping: Were you thinking I was going to say kitchen or bath? Surprisingly landscaping is a top runner for maximum return on investment. Your curb appeal is the first impression of your home so it makes sense that landscaping would have a good return. If your yard is one area your home is lacking, adding in some color and cleaning things up can make a big difference. Consider incorporating some flowering shrubs, large planters with bright flowers, fresh mulch and maybe even a new flagstone walkway to really spruce things up. New Roof: This one doesn’t sound like the most fun but it’s a big deal when it comes to selling your home. If you’re seeing water leaks in your roof, put this in the #1 spot before you do anything else. Plus, the ROI on a new roof is over 100%. How do you know if you need a new roof? Here are a few signs.. If you notice shingles missing or curling up, the sun shining through your attic or you see stains on ceilings and walls, then it’s probably time for a new roof. Hardwood Floors: The timeless look of hardwood floors are a top feature to love and they are probably the one feature that will always be a good investment. The trending style of hardwood floors may change over time but they’re always going to trump any other style of flooring when it comes to holding their value. You know the feeling when you find out there are hardwood floors underneath old, outdated carpeting? It feels like you hit the jackpot! Hardwood floors are timeless so refinishing them is a no brainer. If you don’t have them, they’re also going to be worth the initial investment down the road. Patio or Deck: Say hello to outdoor entertaining and Summer BBQ’s. We already know that landscaping is the #1 project for ROI so it makes sense that a patio or deck addition is really going ot up your backyard game! Now you’ll even have a place to sit with a cocktail and appreciate all that landscaping work you did. To give you some examples, the average cost of a patio is $6,000 and the average return is 102%. For a deck, the average cost is $9,450 with a 106% average return. Are you thinking tonight’s dinner conversation will go something like “Honey, we’re getting a new deck!” Which remodeling project have you been considering? Always consider the ROI on any home projects you decide to tackle. Spending $50,000 on a kitchen remodel will not necessarily add that amount to the value of your home so keep that in mind when deciding where to spend vs where to splurge.

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