Selling Your Home

One of the most common questions from home sellers is, “do I really need to put my family pictures away”? The short answer is “yes,” but maybe not for the reasons you assume. The general principle is that buyers need to be able to visualize their own lives in the home in order to buy the house. There is nothing new about this, but in this complicated age of security challenges, there are also safety reasons to remove your items before showings.

10 Things to Remove
1. Excess Furniture – Consider removing extra chairs, ottomans, side

tables, etc., anything unnecessary.

2. Family Photos – You do not know who is coming through your home; protect your family by removing any identifiable pictures, awards, certificates, etc.

3. Religious Art/Collectables – Some people may be offended by these kinds of items. Better to avoid issues.

4. Laptops and Cell Phones – Anything easily picked up and removed should be safely stowed.

5. Jewelry – Again, anything of value should be secured out of sight.

6. Important Files and Papers – Hide any papers that may have

banking or social security numbers that can be used for fraudulent purposes.

7. Firearms – Protect yourself and others by securing any firearms.

8. Clutter – Nothing new here, keep the home clean.

5 Trendy Tips to Enhance a Small Porch

Who doesn’t love the idea of a front porch? Picture a cool lemonade in the shade on a hot summer’s day while watching the world go by. Home builders have embraced this ideal over the past couple decades with more new construction featuring this timeless feature. Often though, the size of the porch seems to make it more of an idea than a usable space.

But even a modest-sized porch can be an inviting place to relax. Here are 5 trendy ideas to try this weekend to enhance a small porch.

1. Outdoor Furniture – Any porch can accommodate some kind of furniture. It may be a modest bench or a small outdoor couch, but adding a sitting option is an instant plus.

2. Pillows – Soften the look of the space and create a welcoming impression by adding pillows or blankets to the sitting area. Vary the color and style by season using weather-proof fabrics.

3. Potted Plants – Small containers or size-appropriate edges of flowers or bushes add softness and interest to any front porch. Plants allow the space to integrate with the rest of the front yard.

4. Color – Play with the color of both the furnishings and plants to draw the eye of the observer. Soft pastels paired with a bold splash will move the viewer’s eye around the space, creating the illusion of more room.

5. Remove Clutter – Finally, remove anything unnecessary and keep the porch cleared of debris or overgrown plants.

A front porch should lure one in. Even a small porch can be a pleasant place to relax, read, or refresh with just a few small changes.

Property Liens That Can Stop The Sale

One of the most common reasons for a home sale to fall through is the presence of property liens. Often the sellers are not even aware they have a lien on their home and the delay caused by having them removed can cause a qualified buyer to look elsewhere.

Along with other pre-listing tasks, such as repairs and curb appeal projects, sellers should order a title search to determine if any liens are on the property. Some liens are expected, such as the mortgage lien which ensures any home loan is paid off at the time of close, but others might come as a surprise. Here are a few liens which can derail your closing.

· Mechanics Lien – A contractor may place a mechanics lien on your home to make sure they are paid after a home project.

· Divorce Lien – Even if you and your spouse have agreed on the sale of the home, the court may need to approve the sale before the lien can be removed.

· Homeowner’s Association – Past due HOA payments and assessments can lead to a lien on the home.

· IRS and Property Taxes - A government legal claim against your property when you neglect or fail to pay a tax debt.

· Judgment Liens - Is a court ruling that gives a creditor the right to take possession of a debtor's real or personal property if the debtor fails to fulfill his or her contractual obligations.

· Credit Card Liens – If you default on a credit card and the issuers get a judgment, they can attach...

5 Signs That You Should Take Your Home Off The Market

When you first list your home for sale, the goal is to see an offer or two from a highly qualified buyer quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes days and weeks go by without much interest. When this happens, it may be time to reevaluate the listing and cancel the listing. Here are 6 signs that it’s time to take your house off the market.

1. Your Financial Situation Has Changed – If you are planning to buy a new home and you are no longer able to do so, then it could be time to cancel the listing, job loss, major expenses, etc.

2. Lowball Offers – Lowball offers could mean either that the house is priced too high, or buyers see the home as a fixer-upper.

3. Repair Needs – If you discover major repair needs, such as a new roof or slab leak, it might make sense to repair and then relist.

4. Needs Updating – While most real estate agents discourage making updates before listing if you are getting feedback from buyers that your home is too dated, performing targeted upgrades may help sell when you relist.

5. Too Much Competition – Even in a seller’s market there can be too many options for buyers. If you can wait for a slower market, your home will stand out more and garner more interest.

A seller’s market does not guarantee that every listing will sell quickly and for a good price. If your home is not attracting the offers you’d hoped for, consider removing it from the market and adjusting your approach.

Additional Criteria When Hiring a Listing Agent

Most sellers spend a long time considering whether they should sell their home. These same people who have considered all the financial and personal pros and cons of moving hire the first real estate agent they like. While certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with, the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction and it’s critical to choose the right one.

Before signing with the nice agent who stopped by the community garage sale, interview a few local options. Ask friends and neighbors if they have any recommendations and arrange a sit-down visit with the agents. Ask questions, such as:

• ·  How many homes have you listed and sold in the past year?

• ·  How do you handle the marketing of the home?

• ·  Will you hold open houses?

• ·  What kind of offer should I expect? How will you handle multiple offers?

  Ask for specific examples of how they have handled difficult situations in the past. What if the appraisal comes in low? How do we negotiate request for repairs? Most importantly, ask what list price they recommend and why. You should expect a full comprehensive analysis and the agent should be able to answer any questions you have.

  Finally, ask for references and call them. Ask the references the tough questions – what did they like and dislike about the agent? Buying or selling a home is typically the largest financial decision of someone’s life, hiring the right listing agent is the most important aspect of a successful transaction. Choose the best agent, not just the one that seems nice.

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Are Buyers Avoiding Your Listing? Strategies to Revive A Stale Listing

It may seem like every listing sells the first weekend these days, but as the market begins to slow down, more sellers are facing the dilemma of an aging listing. If your listing has been on the market for a while, buyers naturally assume that there is something wrong with the home and avoid viewing the home. Fortunately, there are strategies to renew the listing and re-engage buyers’ interest.

If your listing is losing steam, the first step is to understand why. Typically, if a home is not getting offers, it’s priced too high. Even homes in terrible condition will sell quickly for the right price. In a market where homes are selling quickly, it’s common for sellers to assume they can push their listing price even higher, but savvy buyers and agents will reject overpriced homes.

Another strategy is to put the home on hold and make a few updates. In most cases, simply adding a fresh coat of paint or new carpet can offer a more appealing look to buyers. In other cases, to garner a top price, sellers may need to replace appliances or more. Always weigh the cost in dollars and time before making significant updates.

Finally, some Multiple Listing Services (MLS) allow an agent to refresh the listing by temporarily taking it off the market for a few days and then placing it back on “active” status (with seller authorization). This triggers new alerts to both buyers and agents who are looking for a comparable property. If your listing is not getting the attention it deserves, speak to your agent about your options.

How to Price Your Home to Sell in a Softening Market

The summer selling season has come. Unfortunately, those home sellers who were looking forward to sky-high prices and multiple offers may be disappointed to find the market softening. In a declining market, pricing a home becomes critical to success.

Pricing your home in a softening market

The first step is to realize the market has changed. Buyers will not overpay for a home in an uncertain market. Whereas just a few months ago it might have made sense to “test the market” and set an aggressive price, sellers who try that strategy today will lose valuable time, risking an even slower market when the home sells.

Home Value Truths

• ·  What you paid for your home doesn’t affect its value.

• ·  Your asking price does not affect its value.

• ·  What it might have sold for 2 months ago does not affect its value.

• ·  What your agent tells you about price does not affect its value.

  The value of your home is determined by what a qualified buyer in today’s market is willing to pay for it, comparing it to others on the market for sale.

  Pricing Strategy in a Softening Market

  Your pricing strategy should be the same, regardless of whether you are in an accelerating or declining market – to price the home ahead of the market. In a declining market, that means you should price your home slightly below the most recent comp.

Additional Criteria When Hiring a Listing Agent

Most sellers spend a long time considering whether they should sell their home. These same people who have considered all the financial and personal pros and cons of moving hire the first real estate agent they like. While certainly it’s important to find an agent you can communicate with, the right agent brings more than a pleasant demeanor to the transaction and it’s critical to choose the right one.

Before signing with the nice agent who stopped by the community garage sale, interview a few local options. Ask friends and neighbors if they have any recommendations and arrange a sit-down visit with the agents. Ask questions, such as:

• ·  How many homes have you listed and sold in the past year?

• ·  How do you handle the marketing of the home?

• ·  Will you hold open houses?

• ·  What kind of offer should I expect? How will you handle multiple offers?

  Ask for specific examples of how they have handled difficult situations in the past. What if the appraisal comes in low? How do we negotiate request for repairs? Most importantly, ask what list price they recommend and why. You should expect a full comprehensive analysis and the agent should be able to answer any questions you have.

  Finally, ask for references and call them. Ask the references the tough questions – what did they like and dislike about the agent? Buying or selling a home is typically the largest financial decision of someone’s life, hiring the right listing agent is the most important aspect of a successful transaction. Choose the best agent, not just the one that seems nice.

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Prepping an Empty House for Sale

You read that right. Should you “prep” an empty house? This is not about adding furniture or plants to a vacant home, but it’s about looking at the empty home and making it more appealing to buyers.

Not all homes need furniture to sell for top dollar, but even a vacant home needs attention before it’s ready for showing. The key is to remove anything that would distract from a buyer seeing the home in its best light and highlight its best features.

What Should You Remove from a Vacant House?
· Anything that isn’t clean – Remove dirt from ceiling fans, baseboards,

sink, dishwasher, windows, shelves, etc.

• ·  Leftover Items – Hangers in closets, old batteries from drawers.

• ·  Cable and Cords – Neaten walls and floors by removing or hiding.

• ·  Worn or Stained Carpet – Replace old, damaged, stained, or dated carpet.

· Old Window Treatments – Old dated curtains and tired Venetian blinds are distracting, remove them.

· Spider Webs and Dust Balls – Check those corners for dead bugs, cobwebs, and dust.

· Leave Behind Furniture – Don’t be tempted to leave indoor or outdoor furniture you no longer want.

· Dead Leaves – Clean the yard and remove all...