Friday
How to Sell Your Home
How to Sell Your Home This Season - or, at least give your home a chance to sell. These months are usually the off-season for real estate sales and this winter a particularly bad time to try to sell with a depressed housing market.
According to Bankrate.com, winter can be difficult when showing a house because the days are shorter, greenery is in short supply, and weather can really be an issue.
Here are some of tips to help you sell your home over the next few months:
"There are good reasons for selling in the winter -- namely, less competition. But you still have to work hard to attract the best customers. It's all about home staging:
According to Bankrate.com, winter can be difficult when showing a house because the days are shorter, greenery is in short supply, and weather can really be an issue.
Here are some of tips to help you sell your home over the next few months:
"There are good reasons for selling in the winter -- namely, less competition. But you still have to work hard to attract the best customers. It's all about home staging:
- Keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice. You may not have to mow the lawn or trim the shrubs, but in the winter, consider this duty your 'yard work.'
- Present a warm and cozy home. Make sure the temperature is comfortable and not too cool for visitors coming in from the outside. Turn on gas fireplaces if you have them.
- Show during 'high-daylight' hours and make your home as light as possible. Clean blinds and curtains and keep them open during daytime showings. Put the highest wattage bulbs in amps and fixtures, and turn the lights on when you show. And wash your windows -- even a little bit of grime gives the impression that the home isn't well cared for.
- Set the mood with a little soft background music and some pleasant smells. Light a few candles that give off a nice scent, such as vanilla. Just don't overdo it -- you don't want people to think you're trying to mask a bad smell.
- Ask prospective buyers to remove their shoes or slip on paper booties over them. Doing so shows buyers that you are proud of your home and take meticulous care of it.
- Emphasize the features of your home that make it a good place to live in the winter. If your roads are regularly plowed and de-iced, be sure to make it known."
Something else to keep in mind. It's a good idea to wait to show your house until AFTER the Super Bowl. Why? Well, it can be pretty difficult to get men up off the couch on the weekends to go look at a house - until all the football games are done for the season. Naturally.
RELATED POSTS:
Housing Bubble HumorHere's a tip - if you need to find a contractor to update any part of your home, you can avoid flipping through the yellow pages to pick a contractor at random - you can post your project on ConstructionDeal.com and we'll have contractors call you. Saves you time. And, with multiple bids, you'll also save money.
Even if you don't use ConstructionDeal.com to find a contractor fast - get as many quotes on a project as you can and go with the company that is the right fit for you and your budget.
Even if you don't use ConstructionDeal.com to find a contractor fast - get as many quotes on a project as you can and go with the company that is the right fit for you and your budget.
Labels: Curb Appeal, Housing Bubble, Improving Home Value, Real Estate
Thursday
Ways to Improve your Home Value
Kitchen Remodeling: there are home improvement shows dedicated just to the kitchen! The kitchen has become the heart of the home and everyone wants to refurbish or expand theirs. They want natural stone counters, comfortable and easy-to-maintain floors, new cabinets and hardware, and new appliances. Studies have shown that a kitchen remodel usually guarantees the best return on investment and is the best way to improve the value of the house. If it's done right...
Bathroom Renovation: homeowners want to pamper themselves in state-of-the-art master bathrooms. They want space, beautiful appointments, and whirlpool tubs. If there is room for a separate shower and toilet, that's a bonus.
First Impressions: when it comes to increasing home values, every one thinks of the interior first. But your "curb appeal" is what makes the first impression for everyone who comes to your home - whether it's the dreaded mother-in-law visit or your first visitor during an open house. It's important to cut back overgrown bushes and trees, add landscaping and new sod. Take care of it all with a new sprinkler system.
New Replacement Windows: not only are new windows easier to clean but they usually pay for themselves in about 5 years. Your old wood windows that have expanded and contracted endlessly each season are letting out your heat and air conditioning. New windows always add to the value of any home for aesthetic reasons, environmental reasons, and financial reasons. What's not to love?
A New Roof: a new, strong roof tells everyone that this home is protected. It will prevent Mother Nature from wreaking havoc on the rest of the home. The new roof and gutters will push water away from the foundation. The new vents will help regulate temperature inside, saving money on utility bills. And it looks pretty darn good, too.
With an unstable real estate market and rising interest rates, many are choosing to stay put for now and to improve the value of their home. When the time is right to sell again, make sure your home is ready to get you the most bang for your buck!
If you're in the market for any of these renovations, keep ConstructionDeal.com in mind! We'll help you find a local remodeling expert and save you time and money in the process. It's a free service for homeowners -- you simply post your request and wait for Contractors to call you!
RELATED POSTS:
5 New Home Remodeling Trends
Home Additions: Don't Relocate! Renovate!
How to Beat the Bursting Housing Bubble
Refer a Friend to the ConstructionDeal.com Blog!
Labels: Curb Appeal, Home Improvement, Improving Home Values
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