| As a home ages it becomes unique from it's neighbors'. This is especially true of the 50+ year vintage home. Analyzing it's true market value takes a Specialist. Now YOU know one! |
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Sign Me Up for "Realty News from Kathryn" For tips on the real estate market, home maintenance, taxes, buying, selling, and mortgage loans. (See this month's: Click here!) Find out why staging WORKS! An unanswered question? Ask Kathryn |
| Kathryn Hisert |
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We' re certainly in a 'Buyer's Market'. What does this mean to you, the Seller? * The one time flood of offers has all but stopped. * Market values have stabilized and in many cases retreated, (versus continuing their upward march). * Buyers can be more particular about what home they choose, (the location, the condition, the color...you name it). * Buyers are finding their negotiation voices. Work with a Realtor who found theirs years ago! How does this effect you? First and foremost: Don't let the competition intimidate you! * Remember why you bought your home? Give buyers the opportunity to see what you saw, what you dreamed...Those factors may still exist, or can be re-created. * Be prepared to spruce up - even if it means just some elbow grease. (See tips for staging below.) * Do your best to work with your Realtor. Know the comparable pricing in your area. Remember, as homes age their differences increase. Stay objective. * Ensure your Realtor has a complete Marketing plan. Throwing the sign up on your front lawn and listing on the MLS, (Multiple Listing Service), will more than likely sell your home, eventually. But, why should you have to wait? (See "Marketing Your Home".) |
| SELLERS: |
Concerned about timing? How is the market in YOUR neighborhood? Want 'Comparables' in another neighborhood? Just fill out the needed data on the Market Snapshot and instantly get "Comparables" with graphs, charts and interactive map, etc... |
NewVintageHome Where Life Begins...
Four cheap and easy home improvements By Marshall Loeb, MarketWatch NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- If your house sorely needs a makeover, but remodeling is beyond your reach, the DIY Network's Amy Devers, host of "DIY to the Rescue," suggests trying these four simple fixes: • Touch-up exteriors. Repainting the trim and front door of your house can significantly boost its curb appeal, Devers said. This kind of retouching work is easy on the budget and can be done in just a couple of hours. • Replace your floors. The widespread availability of affordable "floating floors" (flooring options that can be installed on top of existing boards or linoleum) makes updating the floors in your rec room or pantry a cinch. "You'll probably save a minimum $500 to $600 dollars by doing it yourself," Devers said. • Update your hardware. Switching out old light fixtures and faucets is a simple, affordable way to modernize your home. While you're at it, equip your house with fixtures that support halogen light bulbs to save money on your electricity bill. • Transform your yard. Landscaping doesn't have to break the bank. Replacing overgrown shrubs and bushes and adding some flowers for color is an economical way to add value to your home. Many home repairs can be easily mastered by determined do-it-yourselfers, Devers said, but there are still some things best left to the experts. If you need to re-floor your entire house, contact a flooring service, and call in the electricians whenever you're dealing with circuit boards or wiring in the walls |
FREE Staging Consultations! When working with Kathryn, you are working with an Accredited Staging Professional. Each selling client receives FREE consultations and assistance. NO more guess work AND your budget is kept in mind! CALL TODAY! |
| 5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell To put the best face on a listing and appeal to buyers who follow feng shui principles, keep these tips in mind. 1. Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” (chi is the “life force” of all things) and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. Abundance, blessings, opportunities, and good fortune enter through the front door. It’s also the first impression buyers have of how well the sellers have taken care of the rest of the property. Make sure the area around the front door is swept clean, free of cobwebs and clutter. Make sure all lighting is straight and properly hung. Better yet, light the path leading up to the front door to create an inviting atmosphere. 2. Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good forces of a home in, always keep the toilet seats down and close the doors to bathrooms. 3. The master bed should be in a place of honor, power, and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It’s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation, and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue, and lavender. 4. The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table while also softening sharp corners. 5. The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed. Source: Sell Your Home Faster With Feng Shui by Holly Ziegler (Dragon Chi Publications, 2001) |
| Simple Tips for Better Home Showings 1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of- season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too. 2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home. 3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been well-cared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it. 4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help. 5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint. 6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained. 7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway. 8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable. 9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa. 10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently. 11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers. 12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress. 13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one. 14. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use. 15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight. 16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises. 17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time. 18. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there. |
