Real Estate Tidbits

Selling Your Home? Remember the Importance of First Impressions - Curb Appeal is Key

Selling a home, especially in today's competitive market, requires sellers to "go the extra yard" and ensure their home really stands out against all the other homes for sale in their area.

We're all heard how powerful first impressions can be, and that's especially important when selling. We know that "curb appeal" - that first impression of the home when a buyer first drives up - is vitally important to catch the buyer's interest... even before they walk inside.

Here are a few things to consider when putting your home on the market:

- Clean the oil stains off the driveway
- Put the garbage cans behind the gate or in the garage
- Park your cars in the garage or away from the house
- Mow the lawn and trim the bushes and other landscaping
- Plant some colorful flowers around the walkway and on the porch
- Put the toys and other "stuff" in the backyard

Of course, there are many other things to consider when selling your home.

For more information on the "secrets" to selling, call our office at (916) 241-8000 or (530) 677-1332.

Proving a Home's Value... How to Price It Right to Sell FAST

Home Seller Tip: Concessions Can Help Sell Your Home Faster

What's My Home Worth... in Today's Crazy Market?

Are you curious about your home's value in the current market.  Sacramento County home values, El Dorado County home values, and Placer County home values have all been affected over the past few years.

If you want to know how much your home is worth in this crazy market then visit www.HomeValuePro.com.

Of course, if you have questions about market values or selling in today's market, give us a call at (916) 241-8000 or (530) 677-1332.

September 2011: This Month in Real Estate & Preparing Your Home to Sell

Home Seller Tip: Pricing Right Nets MORE and Sells FASTER

July 2011: This Month in Real Estate

Sellers Must "Sell" Their Home 3 Times to "Get It Sold"

Does the title of this article sound a bit confusing? What do I mean by "Sellers must sell their home three times to get it sold." Well, I'll tell you... and it's important that you really understand this, especially if you're selling or considering selling in today's changing market.

When a seller lists a home for sale and asks a certain price for the property, that property (and it's asking price) must be "sold" three times:

• First, it must be "sold" to the buyer's Realtor. Remember, the Realtors are working with the buyers that the seller wants to attract. If the price is too high, the Realtor won't think it's a reasonable price and may not even show the buyer the property. There are way too many properties on the market right now for the agents to waste their buyer's time looking at overpriced properties.


• Second, it must be "sold" to the buyer. In other words, if the Realtor thinks the price is reasonable and brings a buyer to the property, then the buyer must think the price is fair, too. Yes, the buyer can always offer less, but if the price is too high in the buyer's eyes, they may not even bother to make an offer and eliminate the property from consideration.


• Third, and often overlooked by sellers, the property must be "sold" to the appraiser. This can be a showstopper even if the property was already "sold" to the Realtor and to the buyer. If the Realtor brings the buyer and the buyer writes an offer and the seller accepts that offer, all is good, right? Well, maybe... but maybe not. If the property was priced too high for the market, even if the Realtor thought is was reasonable, and the buyer and seller agree on a price, if the appraiser (who is hired by the buyer's lender to ensure the property is worth the price) says the property isn't worth the price, the deal can "fall apart" and not complete. The appraiser has the final word as to whether or not the price was right in the current marketplace.

So, when pricing your property, make sure you consult with your Realtor to ensure you're pricing right for the current market. It's not uncommon for the buyers and their agent to think a price is reasonable and then for the appraiser to say otherwise. If that happens, the deal may not happen and you've lost critical time in the marketplace, and you'll probably end up getting much less for the property than you would have had it been priced right from the start. So... price it right!

Other pricing articles:

• Comparing a Home's Value to a Stock's Value
• When It Comes to Pricing, The Market is Always Right
• Price High, Lose Money
• Pricing: If You Miss the Mark, the Market Will Tell You

3 Power Tips for Selling Your Home

Sellers... Make Sure You "See the Light" When Selling

Are you aware of one of the simplest secrets - "tricks of the trade" - that homebuilders and other savvy home sellers use when selling homes?  They "see the light."  Yes, this is one of the easiest and most effective tips sellers can use when selling... simply turn on the lights.

Have you ever walked in to a model home?  Have you ever seen it dark and dreary?  Nope!  Model homes are always well lit... all lights are on and all window coverings are open (natural light is important, too).  It makes the house look lively and bright.  Lots of light even makes the space look larger.  It also makes the house much more inviting and may even make the difference in the house appealing to that one buyer who makes an offer to purchase it.

Which lights should you turn on?  ALL of them.  Hall lights, under-cabinet lights, ceiling fan lights, bathrooms, exterior, etc.  Turn 'em all on.  If you're worried about your electric bill due to the extra lights on while selling... then don't.  The small extra cost is trivial compared to the dramatic results you'll likely get from keeping the lights on.

Of course, lights and any other tips for selling won't make any difference at all if your home is over-priced... so make sure you're priced right to start with.  If not, then you can use every tip in the book and they won't make any difference whatsoever.

As always, consult with your Realtor on pricing, lighting, and other "secrets" to a successful sale.

Other great articles to read:

• Home Selling Tip: Clutter Be Gone!
• Your Home's Entrance Sets the Tone
• Home Selling Tip: Minor Repairs

Sellers... Does Your Driveway "Drive Away" Buyers?

As I've discussed in many of my previous blog postings, "curb appeal” – the first impression a home makes when a potential buyer arrives – is critical when selling a home. 

One area often neglected is the driveway, which typically is one of the first features a potential home buyer notices when arriving at a property. If the concrete driveway is oil-stained or has cracks, check with a local home center for cleaners and crack-repair compound.  For asphalt driveways, a seal-coat often can make a big difference in appearance and also help prolong the asphalt.

Don't discount the power of that critical first impression.  Some buyers will skip viewing the inside of a property if they see too much disrepair on the exterior when they first drive up.

Sellers... Landscaping Makes a Strong First Impression

When selling a home, first impressions are extremely important... especially in today's challenging real estate marketplace. 

Neglecting to maintain your lawn by letting it turn brown or become overgrown may discourage potential buyers.  To prevent this, homeowners should cut back or remove trees and bushes that are overgrown, especially if they are hazardous.  Watering, too, is obviously vitally important to ensure a nice, green, healthy lawn.

Weeding and laying fresh bark in planter beds can also contribute to a favorable first impression.

When selling a home... EVERYTHING COUNTS.

Get Rid of the Litter Box When Selling Your Home

I figure most sellers already know that a litter box inside the home won't be an appealing "feature" when buyers come over.  However, many sellers forget about the litter box because they are "used to it."

As with any odor or smell in a home, it becomes unnoticeable over time to the home's occupants. However, any new visitors will certainly notice it... and believe me, it's not something you want noticed.

I am a cat lover; I've had cats all my life. I have learned, though, when it comes to selling real estate, the cat's litter box can hurt a sale.  When buyers visit a home, either with their Realtor or at an open house, the litter box can be "noticed" as soon as someone walks in.

So, the tip of this blog post is: When your home is for sale, remove the litter box from the house.  If this won't work, then at least remove the litter box when you plan to have buyers over. Realize, of course, that the smell doesn't immediately go with the box; it can remain for a while after moving the litter box. So, keep this in mind.

Sellers: Remember to Keep it Clean

When selling a home, you must remember one of the most important rules: Keep It Clean!

Cleanliness - or lack thereof - can be a real turnoff to a potential buyer. Some sellers think it's too much of a hassle to keep the house clean all the time.  They think that if a buyer really wants their home, that buyer look beyond the dirt and mess.  That couldn't be further from the truth.

A messy house can turn off a buyer immediately. I've worked with buyers who walked in, saw a mess, and turned around and walked out. They figured that if a seller was too lazy to keep the house clean to sell it, then what other things has the seller "been too lazy to address?"

As we've heard for years, "you never get a second change to make a first impression."  Ensure that first impression of your home is positive.

Some things to consider:

• Make the outside of your home attractive. Mow the lawn. Trim the hedges. Put the garbage cans in the garage or yard. Clean the oil stains off the driveway.
• Clean the kitchen. Put dirty dishes away. Throw away the pizza box from last night. Clear the counters of everything but the essentials.
• Clean the bathrooms. Put the toilet seat down.
• Put the toys away.
• Pick up the clothes and put them away.
• Remove the litter box from the house.
• Clear the clutter
• And clean, clean, clean...

Sound like too much work?  Well, it is... but you are trying to sell your home for top dollar, aren't you? 

Need I say more?

Some other great related articles:

Sellers - Consider These Quick Tips

Secrets to Selling for Top Dollar

5 Tips to Prepare for Buyers

Clutter Be Gone

Kitchens & Bathrooms Sell Homes

Home Sellers, Consider These Quick Tips When Buyers Come to See Your Home

When selling, it's critical your home be in tip-top shape when buyers come to see it. Your home is a product for sale and it needs to be "packaged" right and must present well.

While there are many home selling tips on this blog, here are a few quick-tips you should consider when buyers come to see your home:

• Clean and de-clutter (of course)
• Turn on all lights (halls, bathrooms, etc.)
• Open all window coverings (natural light is critical, too)
• Put soft, classical or jazz music on the stereo
• Clear off kitchen and bathroom counters
• Don't leave dishes in the sink
• Close the toilet seats (need I say more?)
• Put some fresh flowers outside the front door and on the kitchen table
• Ensure the temperature is comfortable (a house that's too hot or too cold will help usher the buyers out quickly)
• Remove the cat box from the house
• Put some potpourri out or use air fresheners

Click here for even more powerful, profit-enhancing home selling tips.

And review 5 Tips to Prepare to Show Your Home to Buyers, too.

Home Sellers Must Price Real Estate to Sell

So, yes, the title of this blog posting seems obvious, but many sellers struggle with this simple rule when pricing their property.  In ANY real estate market, price is critical.  The old saying about the three most important rules in real estate: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, is often overruled by PRICE, PRICE, PRICE.

Why is price so important?  Because even the worst property in the worst location will sell if it's priced right.

It is critically important for sellers to work with a Realtor who is experienced and successful in selling homes in any real estate market. It's also important for those sellers to listen to the Realtor's logic when discussing price. Pricing too high can end up costing a seller more money, than if they had priced right to start with.

Here are a few of my previous pricing-related articles:

Location, Location, Location or Price, Price, Price

Today's Sellers MUST Focus on Price

A Home's Value Has Nothing to Do With What is Owed on It

Price High, Lose Money

Pricing: If You Miss the Mark, the Market Will Tell You 

 And for all pricing articles, click on the Pricing Property link on the right, or click here.

The Simple Truth About Pricing a Home to Sell

I am asked all the time by sellers about pricing real estate.  Most sellers want to price higher than where the market indicates it should be priced at.

Here's the simple truth about pricing a home (or any real estate):

1. You must price it based on the current market

1. If it's priced right, it will sell.

2. If it's priced too high, it won't.

All else is commentary.

Remember... the "market" is always right!  If you try to "argue with the market", the market will always win.

If a home has been on the market and has not sold, it's overpriced... PERIOD!

Here are some other powerful pricing-related articles:

Today's Sellers MUST Focus on Price

A Home's Value Has Nothing to Do With What is Owed on It

"Lower My Price?!? Do I Really Have To?"

When Should a Seller Lower Their Asking Price?

When It Comes to Pricing, The Market is Always Right

Home Pricing... Who Decides?

All pricing articles on this blog

Secrets to Selling Your Home for Top Dollar in Any Market

Today's Sacramento area real estate market has frustrated many would-be sellers. With stiff competition from foreclosures and short sales, as well as market value declines, sellers are often at a loss of what to do.

I am asked all the time about the best ways to get top dollar in today's very challenging market. I remind sellers that the tips, tricks and techniques for selling homes really don't change from market to market.  In order to sell for top dollar in any market, there are tried and true methods and strategies that work every time.

So, here are some of my most popular blog posts that discuss the "secrets" to selling for top dollar in any market:

5 Questions Sellers MUST Ask Before Making a Decision 

Location, Location, Location or Price, Price, Price? 

Sellers... Buyers Decide When They First Drive Up 

Kitchens and Bathrooms Sell Homes

5 Tips to Prepare to Show Your Home to Buyers 

Sellers Need to Keep It Clean, Clean, Clean 

Home Selling Tip: Clutter Be Gone! 

Family, Friends & Neighbors Can Put Sellers at a Disadvantage

In all my years of selling real estate, I've learned that nosy neighbors, caring friends and family members can really can really mess up a real estate sale.  And while it happens to both buyers and sellers, this article will focus on sellers.

Here's the scenario (and maybe you've experienced this yourself): a seller hires a Realtor, they meet, evaluate the marketplace, discuss the seller's needs, expectations and goals, prepare and price the house, and it goes on the market.

A couple days go by and the neighbor that lives two doors down, who has a floor plan similar to the seller's, comes by and says that the price is too low... or it should be marketed a different way... or that they should have a Open House every weekend. The seller then begins to wonder.

A few days later, Uncle Elmer comes by for a family get together, and also offers an opinion on how to better price it, better market it, or how to negotiate an upcoming offer.  The seller's anxiety level goes up... thinking maybe the Realtor didn't provide the right guidance.  Uncle Elmer, after all, does "know it all."

A couple weeks later, after an offer has been accepted by the seller, at another family event, Dad, who knows all about real estate (who last sold a home in 1978), chimes in saying they should have held out for more money, putting even more doubts in the seller's mind. The seller loses sleep thinking the price should have been higher; he shouldn't have accepted the first offer; he should have countered one more time and held out for more money. He then questions himself, and his Realtor, and his anxiety goes even higher.

Does any of this sound familiar?  If it does, then you know the hassle this can cause. If it doesn't, then consider yourself lucky.

So what's my message here?  It's simple.  While we all have well-meaning family, friends and neighbors who want to "help" and offer advice, we need to remember that the seller is working with a professional, experienced, and successful Realtor, who knows the market and works in real estate every day. I am assuming of course, that the seller has hired a professional, experienced, competent and successful Realtor (if not, then that's a whole different discussion).

It's easy to second-guess and question a Realtor's advice and recommendations. However, it is seldom productive. If questions do arise, then the seller should call his/her Realtor and discuss them. Don't however, let well-meaning family and friends get you off track or add to the stress that already comes along with selling a home.

Kitchens and Bathrooms Sell Homes

When selling a home, remember this: kitchens and bathrooms sell homes.

Seems like a simple statement, doesn't it. Yet, it is so powerful. Studies indicate that buyers are most interested in, and often most critical of, kitchens and bathrooms. Obviously, those rooms are quite important to people, so it is vital that sellers pay special attention to those rooms when preparing to sell.

A few quick tips to prepare these rooms to show:

• Remove clutter and unnecessary "stuff" from counters, floors, and visible shelves
• Remove magnets, photos, etc. from the refrigerator
• Ensure all the dishes and other stuff is out of the sink and into the cabinets
• Clean the counters, mirrors, sinks, floors, toilets, tubs & showers
• Leave the toilet seats down 
• Put fresh, clean, neat towels up for display
• Leave the lights on when buyers come through (this is a tip for all rooms)

The time invested to make these rooms sparkle with pay off tremendously. Don't skimp.

Oh... and in case you're wondering what others rooms are most important after the kitchen and bathrooms?  It's the family room and the master bedroom.

Here are some other great blog articles with home selling tips:

When Selling, Focus on the Kitchen

Clutter Be Gone!

Package It Right

Selling in Today's Market? Don't Forget the "Curb Appeal"

In today's challenging real estate market, sellers must focus on "standing out" from the crowd. They are competing with short sales, foreclosures and other low-priced properties and must set themselves apart from the competition.

One of the first things to consider when marketing your home is the "curb appeal" - the exterior - how the home looks to prospective buyers when they first drive up. It is said that buyers often make the decision to buy when they first drive up and go inside to validate their decision. While this is not always the case, it illustrates the importance of that critical first impression.

Some things to consider:

- Clean the oil stains off the driveway
- Put the garbage cans behind the fence
- Park the cars in the garage or away from the house
- Mow the lawn and trim the bushes
- Plant some colorful flowers around the walkway
- Put the toys in the backyard

For more powerful tips, tricks & techniques, review the following articles:

Focus on the Exterior, Create "Curb Appeal"

Buyers Decide When They First Drive Up

Flowers Make an Impact

 

Selling? How About "Green" Remodeling?

I recently ran across this from The Daily Green and thought it might be of interest. Of course, these tips can help even if you're not looking to sell.

1. Replace as many light bulbs as you can with CFLs (compact fluorescents). CFLs use a quarter of the electricity as regular bulbs, and lighting accounts for 20% of home energy use.                     
2. Upgrade any old or questionable appliances with new Energy Star-certified models. The EPA's blue and white label indicates models must be 10% to 50% more efficient than standard offerings.
3. Install a programmable thermostat.                               
4. Make sure cracks are tightly caulked and leaks are sealed. Just doing that can drop your annual heating bill by $100, according to Department of Energy figures. Also consider if your insulation might need beefing up.   
5. Putting on a fresh coat of the new and now-widely available low volatile organic compounds(VOCs) paints can go a long way toward attracting buyers.  It gives Realtors something to market," she says.
6. Old carpets can be a real turnoff, and can emit allergens and toxins. Exposing any hardwood floors is a good way to bring out a home's beauty and value, but if you don't have that option consider new, eco-friendly carpeting.

Click the link for the entire article How Green Remodeling Can Help Sell Your House.

Today's Sellers MUST Focus on Price

We've all heard about the three most important factors in real estate: location, location, location; right?. Well, while location is certainly important, in today's challenging market, the three most factors are: price, price price.

Yes... it's all about price. Even a home in a rotten location will sell if it's priced right. This is probably the biggest challenge sellers face in today's market. Most homes are simply priced too high for the market. "Regular" sellers (those who aren't in foreclosure or trying to do a short sale) are competing with the bank-owned (foreclosure) properties and short sales - combined are considered "distressed properties."

Of course, along with price, there are a few more critical factors that sellers need to keep in mind when selling:

• Price (as we've already discussed)
• Location (always important)
• Condition (the property must be in the best condition possible)
• Exposure (the exposure it gets in the marketplace - this is why a seller needs a great Realtor who is an expert at marketing the property to buyers and their agents)

Keep in mind, however, that while all four of the above are important, price wins every time. Price can overcome any or all of the others. Although, if there's little or no "exposure" (marketing), then even price may not be the solution. That's why you need a Realtor with a proven track record of results.

So, what's the bottom line? Those who are considering selling in the current market, must price aggressively to complete. Consult a good Realtor who can advise you on how best to "position" your property to sell quickly at the best price.

Other posts you might find helpful:

Location, Location, Location or Price, Price, Price?

Property Not Selling? Here's Why.

Sell Now or Wait for the Market to Improve? 

When Should a Seller Lower Their Asking Price? 

Today's Buyers Want a Great Value 

Clear the Cobwebs

Being a Realtor, I see many, many homes each week.  I see small ones and I see large ones.  I see old ones and I see new ones. I see beautiful ones and I see ugly ones. One thing I often see, no matter what type or kind of home, is cobwebs (spider webs).

When selling a home, it's vitally important that the property be in the absolute best condition possible.  Even a "fixer" can look good if it's neat and clean (as neat and clean as a fixer can be, of course).

Sellers must remember to ensure, along with all the cleaning and preparation they do for their home to get ready to sell it, that they clear all the cobwebs, too.

Although cobwebs can show up almost anywhere, I see them most often in:

• Entryways
• The corners of walls... especially where the corners meet ceilings
• Window frames and window blinds (especially in the corners and upper parts)
• Under decks (just clean where you can reach)
• Garages
• Sheds

Of course, spiders can go just about anywhere, so take a walk around your home and look everywhere. Use a long broom or a duster with an extension.

Some other articles on preparing your home to sell:

• Kitchens Sell Houses
• Sellers... Don't Forget the Kids' Rooms
• Sellers Need to Keep It Clean, Clean, Clean
• When Selling a Home, Consider the "Pet Factor"
• Sellers, Focus on the Exterior... Create "Curb Appeal"
• Home Selling Tip: Clutter Be Gone!

If you're thinking of selling, or would just like to discuss your options, feel free to call our office at 916-241-8000 or 530-677-1332. Let's talk... no cost... no obligation.

Home Warranties are the Cheapest Insurance a Seller Can Provide

Sellers sometimes ask why THEY, the sellers, have to pay for the BUYER'S home warranty. I tell them they don't "have" to, but they sure should. Why? Because, if something "breaks" or goes wrong in the house during the first year after the sale, the buyer's have "protection" in the form of the home warranty.

While the home warranty doesn't cover everything, it covers many of the most commonly-affected items that "could" experience a problem. So, if there is a problem, instead of thinking the seller may share some liability in the problem, the buyer can simply contact the home warranty company, pay a small deductible, and have the problem resolved.

Of course, the home warranty does have exclusions and limitations but, for less than $500, the seller can provide the buyer with some "insurance" on the home's major systems and some peace of mind.

As always, I recommend both the sellers and buyers consult with their Realtor for the best guidance as it relates to home warranties.

Also, refer to Home Selling Tip: Provide the Buyer a Home Warranty.