3 Evident Reasons to Reject a House Offer

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Not all house offers are made equal. It’s easy to get excited when offers start to roll in after listing your home.

Homeowners can receive multiple offers and assume they are all set. Sadly, there is more to an offer than the price. Politely declining a house offer is oftentimes the smartest decision for a seller. Identifying what makes an offer worthy of being rejected is the key.

Here are three reasons to reject your next house offer when listing your home.

  1. Too Many Contingencies

Contingencies can feel like the bane of a seller’s existence. An offer can come in that initially looks great. The price is high, and the closing timeframe is quick. Look again! Do yourself a favor and count the contingencies in the purchase agreement. If you see more contingencies throughout the contract than you can count on your fingers, that’s a red flag.

Like offers, not all contingencies are made equal, either. Some contingencies aren’t too strict and won’t blow up the deal. When selling a damaged house, it’s common to see multiple contractual contingencies in an offer. On the flip side, other contingent clauses completely derail the entire process.

For example, a due diligence inspection contingency of 4 weeks can mean that the buyer can walk away from the deal within that timeframe if they find something that appears ‘off’ in or around the property.

House flippers and investors commonly use the inspection contingency. By inserting this contingency into the contract, they have an exit with your time as the expense. When sellers see this contingency, consider rejecting the offer.

You can politely decline their offer to purchase your home because of the contingency in place. You can also counteroffer if you have a good feeling about this buyer and everything else checks out. Negotiating more favorable terms will keep you from losing out on a good buyer but make the deal sweeter.

  1. Lowball Offer

No home seller enjoys receiving lowball offers. It can feel like a slap in the face depending on how low the amount is. Is the buyer calling your baby ugly?

Receiving a lowball offer is a great reason to reject it. Simply put, your price is your price. If you have to make a certain amount from the sale of your home, lowball offers won’t cut it. Homebuyers have thick skin and will understand if their lowball offer gets rejected.

When buyers give a lowball offer, they usually know it is much lower than the asking price. This is all a part of the real estate sales process, unfortunately. Instead of instantly declining the lowball offer, sellers can also counter it. Some homebuyers automatically give a lowball offer to start with the intention of raising it as the negotiation takes place.

Sellers can politely refuse the offer and move on, or counter it. Lean on your listing agent to do the negotiations for you. They are the experts and can help you squeeze more juice out of offers. If buyers aren’t budging once you counter, don’t hesitate to decline their offer to purchase your home fully.

  1. Weak Financing

The last thing you want to do as a home seller is to get under contract with a buyer with weak financing. If they can’t actually afford to buy your house, it’s best to cut your losses immediately. Save yourself the time and stress of a deal falling out of contract weeks into the process by reviewing the offer in depth from the start.

What makes the financing of an offer weak? If the homebuyer isn’t preapproved, be cautious about spending too much time with them. They will still need to get pre-approved for a mortgage later in the process if they aren’t already. This process can take weeks and isn’t always successful.

Request a preapproval letter from the buyer’s lender upfront before accepting their offer. This will save you from having to reject the house offer later on. If a buyer is organized and serious, they should have the preapproval letter ready along with their offer. There are more offers in the sea of buyers that have better financing backing than ones like these.

Another hole in a buyer’s financial backing is proof of funds. For most mortgages, buyers will put down at least 3.5% (or more) as their downpayment to purchase your home. Before accepting an offer, seeing proof of those funds is good practice. Buyers can take a screenshot of their recent bank statement to show you that they can put their money where their mouths are.

Tread lightly if a buyer refuses to show proof of funds when making an offer. This can potentially mean that they don’t have the money. If they borrow money from other people, that can get complicated and create issues. Review the entire financing plan the buyer claims and ensure they can perform. Many sellers will reject a house offer without proof of funds accompanying it.

Selling a Damaged House As-Is: 10 Tips for Home Sellers

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When it comes to selling a damaged home, it can be difficult to make the best decision. While the ideal scenario is to make all necessary repairs before listing the home, sometimes it is simply not feasible.

When repairs are too costly and time-consuming, home sellers may consider selling their homes as-is. Here are 10 tips to help you make the most of selling a damaged house as-is.

1. Know Your Options

Before making a decision, consider all of your options. Depending on the house’s condition, you may be able to make repairs and list it for sale on the open market. You could also look into a home improvement loan, or even a cash-out refinance to cover the costs of repairs. If none of these options are available to you, selling the home as-is may be your best bet.

Tips For Selling a Damaged House As Is

2. Research Market Conditions

Before proceeding with a sale, you should research the current market conditions. If the housing market is sluggish, you may be better off waiting until the market improves before selling. On the other hand, if the market is hot, selling your home as-is may be a smart move.

3. Price It Right

When pricing a damaged home for sale, you should factor in the cost of repairs. Avoid pricing it too low, as this will leave money on the table. Instead, you should price it to accommodate the repairs that need to be made.

Accurate house pricing is the number one factor for getting it sold!

4. Find the Right Buyer

When selling a damaged home, you should look for buyers that are interested in a fixer-upper. Look for cash buyers or investors who are comfortable with the repairs that need to be made. A real estate agent may be able to help you find the right buyer.

5. Make the Necessary Disclosures

When selling a damaged home, you must make the necessary disclosures to potential buyers. Be honest about the condition of the home and provide any materials that may be necessary, such as inspection reports. This will help to protect you from any potential legal issues in the future.

6. Offer Incentives

When selling a damaged home, you should consider offering incentives to potential buyers. For example, you could offer to cover closing costs or offer a home warranty. These incentives could be the difference between a successful and unsuccessful sales.

7. Consider an Assumable Loan

If you have a loan on the home, you may consider offering an assumable loan to the buyer. This could be a great way to make the sale more attractive to potential buyers, as they won’t have to go through the process of qualifying for a loan.

8. Make Minor Repairs

It may be worth doing if you can make minor repairs without breaking the bank. This could help make the home more attractive to potential buyers and increase the chances of a successful sale.

9. Leave Major Repairs for the Buyer

Major repairs should be left for the buyer to make. This could be a great way to save money, as buyers may be willing to make the repairs themselves in exchange for a lower price. Major repairs could include replacing the roof, foundation repairs, or updating the electrical system.

10. Consider a Quick Sale

You may consider a quick sale if you need to sell your damaged home quickly. A quick sale is when you sell the home to a cash buyer or investor willing to take the home as-is. This could be a great way to sell the home quickly and begin planning your move.

Selling a damaged house as-is is not always ideal, but it can be a viable option. Before making a decision, consider your options and research current market conditions. You should also make sure to price the home correctly and find the right buyer.

An as-is sale may be the best option if you need to sell the home quickly. Following these tips, you can make the most of selling a damaged house.

15 Tips for Attracting More Offers on Your Home

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Selling a house can be stressful and time-consuming, but with the right strategies in place, it’s possible to attract more offers and ultimately get the best price for your property. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

1. Prepare Your Home for Sale

This means decluttering, deep cleaning, and making necessary repairs or updates. A well-maintained home will be more appealing to potential buyers and can also help increase the value of your property.

2. Avoid Selling As Is

One of the more significant mistakes some sellers make is to market their house as being sold as-is. Doing so brings with it a negative connotation. Buyers get the feeling a seller is either trying to hide something or sell a lemon.

Attract More Offers

3. Set the Right Price

It’s essential to price your home correctly from the start. If it’s too high, you may not receive any offers. You could potentially leave money on the table if it’s too low. Research recent sales of similar homes in your area to get an idea of the market value of your property.

You may also consider hiring a real estate agent or using online tools to help you determine the best price to set your home at.

4. Maximize Curb Appeal

The first thing potential buyers will see when they arrive at your home is the exterior, so making a good first impression is important. This means keeping the lawn well-manicured, power washing the exterior, and adding decorative touches like potted plants or a fresh coat of paint.

5. Stage the Interior

Home staging involves making the interior of your home look as inviting and appealing as possible. This can include arranging furniture, decluttering, and adding some personal touches like throw pillows or artwork.

6. Stand Out from the Competition

Make sure to highlight any unique features or amenities your home offers, like a pool, home gym, home office, or outdoor living space. In today’s market, buyers can scroll through countless options online, and you don’t want yours to get lost in the shuffle. 

7. Use High-Quality Marketing Materials

When marketing your home, it’s essential to use high-quality materials like professional photos and a well-written listing description. You may also want to consider using video or virtual tours to give potential buyers a better sense of what your home looks like.

8. Consider Alternative Methods

If you’re having trouble attracting offers through traditional methods, you may consider alternatives like selling to a company that buys homes for cash or listing your home on Airbnb.

9. Consider Rent-to-Own

This can be a win-win situation for both parties, as the buyer can build equity, and the seller can potentially sell their home for a higher price than they could have gotten through a traditional sale.

It also provides a steadier income stream, as the buyer will pay ongoing rent during the lease period. Rent-to-own can potentially attract a wider pool of buyers, including those who may not qualify for a traditional mortgage.

10. Find the Right Real Estate Agent

Working with a skilled and experienced real estate agent can be a great way to get more offers on your home. Look for an agent with a track record of success and consider using a discount real estate broker to save on commissions.

11. Host Plenty of Open Houses

Open houses allow potential buyers to see your home in person, which can be a lot more informative than only viewing photos online. While hosting open houses can be a bit of a pain, it is well worth ensuring buyers get a true feel for your home.

12. Advertise Your Home on Additional Channels

If more traditional methods aren’t getting you the offers you’re looking for, post ads on various channels like social media, local classifieds, and real estate websites. Your perfect buyer may just stumble across it!

13. Offer Incentives

Consider offering incentives to potential buyers, like covering closing costs or offering a home warranty. If you’re having a particularly tough time selling your home and want to sell it quickly, it may be worth sweetening the deal for your buyers to set it apart from the competition.

14. Address Worries

Address any potential concerns or objections buyers may have, such as foundation issues or an open insurance claim. Determining what may deter buyers is a significant first step in figuring out how to put their minds at ease.

15. Offer a Flexible Closing Date

Offering a flexible closing date can make your home more attractive to buyers who may be in a hurry to move, or conversely, buyers who need to wait until a lease is up or their home sells to close on your home. If you can be flexible, your home may be one of very few on the market that buyers with specific time constraints can consider.

16. Use Your Network

Get recommendations from friends, family, and other contacts to help spread the word about your home and attract more offers. You never know whose coworker, friend, or child may be looking to buy a house!

Following these tips can increase the chances of attracting more offers when selling your house and ultimately get the best price for your property.

What Factors Impact Property Values?

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When a house hits the market, listings tend to focus on physical details such as when it was built, architectural style, square footage, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.

But many other factors contribute to a home’s value — and some may be beyond your control.

These things can become important when you’re selling because they can influence the days on the market or DOM for short. Higher DOM will have a direct correlation to the sale price of your property. Unfortunately, a high DOM will usually lead to a lower selling price.

If you plan on flipping a house this could become vital to know.

Here are nine unique things that influence property values.

Things That Influence Property Values

1. Proximity to Stores and Restaurants

Homes located near good schools and green spaces have always been valued highly, but recent housing trends show properties close to popular chain stores and restaurants are also increasing in value.

For example, having a Starbucks or Trader Joe’s nearby is a big advantage.

2. The Neighborhood

Your neighborhood can positively impact your home’s value. There is no doubt it will influence the real estate appraisal.

If you have a homeowners association that provides lawn service, snow removal, a community swimming pool, or other services, it may boost your home’s value.

On the other hand, if you live in a neighborhood with dilapidated properties and numerous foreclosures, your property value could decrease. Neighborhoods with a high number of registered sex offenders also tend to have lower property values.

3. The Street Name 

Homes located on numbered streets, such as First or Second, tend to sell for less than comparable homes on streets with names. However, in major cities, such as New York, homes on numbered streets may sell for more because of historical or elite connotations.

Even an address’ suffix can play a role. Boulevards, places, and roads tend to sell for more than streets and drives.

4. Updates and Renovations

Although some prospective buyers are looking to flip a house, most are looking for a turnkey property. Homes with renovated kitchens and updated primary bedroom suites tend to be valued higher.

If you’re looking to list your home, consult with a local real estate expert to find out if the time and expense of a renovation will be worth the investment. Know the best questions to ask a Realtor before you call a contractor or tear down any walls.

5. Parking Accessibility and Garage

Homes with a garage and ample street parking tend to have higher values. Covered parking in particular commands more money than homes with only driveway or street parking.

If you own a home in a large city, your property will likely be more valuable if you live close to a train or bus station. Future buyers will appreciate the convenience, and they’ll be willing to pay for it.

6. Energy Efficiency and Smart Tech

There was a time when video-camera doorbells, voice-activated lighting, and heat activation from a cellphone seemed like features from a futuristic movie. But these smart-tech devices are becoming increasingly common and desirable in homes.

Beyond convenience, smart tech offers homeowners peace of mind, and buyers are willing to pay for that.

Buyers also want energy-efficient homes that reduce utility costs over time. Buying a home is one of the most significant purchases a person will make in their lifetime, and it pays to have long-term cost savings.

7. Trees and Landscaping

A home’s curb appeal can positively or negatively impact its value. A home with established trees and gardens will likely sell for more than a home with a patchy strip of grass.

If you’re looking to add value before selling, consider adding low-maintenance landscaping. Plant a couple of trees in strategic places. That will help make a good first impression on buyers.

8. A Haunted History

Some buyers may be fascinated by true crime podcasts or ghost-hunting shows, but that doesn’t mean they’ll want to buy a home with close ties to either.

Homes that were the site of hauntings, infamous crimes, deaths, or murders are harder to sell, which lowers their value over time. If you aren’t bothered by a home’s past, you may be able to snag a haunted house at a great price. 

Likewise, homes located next to a cemetery tend to linger on the market. But living next to a cemetery comes with perks you may not have considered. Not only are the areas quieter, but the grounds are also well maintained, making a cemetery a peaceful and beautiful neighborhood.

9. Market Competition 

The market will ultimately decide how much you can buy or sell a home for. Prices are based on the basic economic principle of supply and demand. If there are more homes on the market than buyers are looking to purchase, values will drop, making it a buyer’s market.

If there are more buyers than available homes, prices will rise, creating a seller’s market. If you’re a buyer struggling to afford a down payment in a seller’s market, it might be time to learn how a side hustle can help you buy a home.

Some sellers can’t wait for the market to turn in their favor. If you’re selling your home, take a look at the best websites for selling your home by owner for tips that can help your property stand out from the crowd and turn a large profit.

Final Thoughts

When buying or selling real estate there are numerous factors that can influence property values. It is crucial to have this information so you don’t make mistakes whether you are purchasing or setting a correct price when selling.

Hopefully, some of the tips we have provided here have been useful.

How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

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Tips to Prepare Your House to Get Sold

Are you getting ready to sell your home? Home sale preparation is one of the most vital tasks when selling a home.

Homes are rarely ready to hit the market as is. Most of them need a slight (or major) makeover to attract potential buyers. 

There are certain tricks of the trade that real estate pros use in order to quickly sell a home at a desirable price. These tactics will cost money upfront but will ultimately help increase a seller’s overall profit.

The following tips range from low-cost updates to full-on renovations. Whether your budget is large or small, these strategies are sure to help raise your returns.

Although this advice is mainly geared toward homeowners, it can be used for other people as well (e.g., investors using a 1031 exchange to quickly sell an apartment building). 

How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell

Clean, Declutter, Depersonalize

Decluttering and depersonalizing your home can help potential buyers visualize themselves in the space. Remember, you are moving on and leaving this home behind. The goal now is to emotionally detach and present buyers with a blank slate. 

In addition to giving the place a good scrub, pack up personal belongings such as photographs, knickknacks, family heirlooms, and other decor. Basically, remove anything that will distract from the sale. 

Regarding items you no longer want to keep, consider selling or donating them to a local charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

All other items can be put in storage or tucked away in small boxes in your cabinets and closets. Although this may seem cumbersome, consider it a jumpstart on packing. 

Give it a Fresh Coat of Paint

Painting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to increase the value of a home. At a 107% return on investment, repainting the interior walls has one of the highest values in terms of home improvements. 

When repainting a home, research common and popular colors. Keep in mind that this is not about your personal style but what potential buyers will like. The exterior should have a fresh coat of neutral paint, and the interior walls should be free of any chips or cracks. 

It’s best to stick to inoffensive colors such as off-white, eggshell, or “greige.” But not all colors work for all rooms. For smaller spaces, pastels and stark whites can make them seem larger.

For larger, potentially alienating rooms, darker, more intimate colors can help bring the room in.

Don’t forget the trim and other adornments. Painting the crown molding the same color as the walls can make a room feel bigger, and painting it a contrasting color can make it cozier. 

Stage The Home

Staging a home has been shown to increase the odds of selling it for a higher price. You do not necessarily need to stage every single room, but consider doing important areas such as the master bedroom and living room. 

You also do not need to remove all of the furniture in your home to stage it. Hyper-stylized items like a bright yellow couch or zebra rug can be distracting, though, so consider moving them into storage or at least out of sight.

Temporarily decorate the home with furniture and decor that’s ordinary yet in style. 

Make Renovations and Repairs

Depending on the condition of a property, the seller may need to make some repairs to sell the place. A leaky roof, some cracked tiles, or a faulty HVAC system could all make selling your house much harder. 

Other times, a room’s features may simply be outdated, and making renovations would help increase the home’s market value. Remodeling the kitchen is a common route many homeowners take because most buyers want a nice kitchen.

Installing stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and new cabinets can transform the space into an inviting room for cooking and hosting. 

Financing renovations can seem tricky, but homeowners can use plenty of creative options to achieve their remodeling goals.

There are different lines of credit that owners can tap into, like credit cards and second mortgages, but make sure to pay attention to the interest rates.

If you don’t have the money to pay off the renovations immediately, then you will want a card or loan with a low rate. Otherwise, you could end up paying more on interest overall. 

If going through the process of making renovations isn’t for you, but you still want to give potential buyers the option to make updates, you could offer seller concessions in the form of credits toward renovations and repairs

Increase Your Curb Appeal 

First impressions matter. The outside of a property and the driveway are what buyers will immediately notice. In addition to painting the exterior of a home, redoing the landscaping and/or the driveway can help increase curb appeal.

If you’re dealing with a particularly run-down house or a fixer-upper, then decluttering the front yard and mowing the lawn could do wonders for your selling efforts. Power cleaning a driveway or installing a new one can make a huge difference as well. 

Do a Photoshoot 

Once you’re done preparing the home, make sure your listing properly showcases the property. It would be a shame to put in tons of effort only to have a property sit on the market due to unflattering or bland pictures.

Listings with professional photos have even been shown to sell homes up to 32% faster than homes with low-quality images. 

When preparing your home for sale, it’s all about emphasizing the details that will capture a buyer’s attention.

Going the extra mile will show people you are serious about selling and will likely increase the final sale price. If you’re working with a real estate agent, be sure to ask for their advice on staging and renovations.

They should be able to point you in the right direction and offer references for contractors, photographers, landscapers, and more.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, you have enjoyed these tips on how to get your home ready to sell and can put them to good use.

The more you can do to get your home prepared for the real estate market, the greater the odds you will sell your house fast for the most money possible.

Never sell yourself short by putting your house up for sale before you’re ready.

7 Optimal Tips to Update Your Front Yard

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How to Update Your Front Yard

When it comes to remodeling a home, generally speaking, homeowners tend to prioritize the home’s interior. The exterior is often an afterthought; however, it is an excellent way to update your front yard. However, the exterior is the first thing that visitors see when they drive up to the home.

When a home has an updated exterior, it tends to improve the curb appeal of the home. Whether you decide to sell the home or just improve it to maintain it, there are some tips to help to update your front yard.

These are the kind of improvements that will help your home sell faster.

Maintain the Lawn

Tips to Update Your Front Yard

As we are well into the spring season, it is a good idea to reseed the lawn. Fertilize and ensure that your lawn is taken care of. Weeds are inevitable in most lawns.

Ideally, pull weeds, including the roots by hand, or use a hoe to remove the entire weed.  If the weeds are overgrowing and out of control, you can use an herbicide to kill the weeds. Be sure to read the directions to ensure you don’t damage the existing lawn.

You can also hire a service to take care of your lawn monthly to ensure that it is weed-free and green. There are some late spring tips to take care of your lawn and yard. Hire a landscaper or gardener to help mow the lawn weekly. A green and healthy lawn is very inviting and will make the home and yard look well tended to.

If you have a smaller area where you want to have a lawn and are not interested in the maintenance, consider adding artificial turf. This is a great way to maintain a green appearance.

It is a good idea to research what type of turf, and remember some of it does get hot. This can be problematic if you have pets.

Tend to the Flower Beds

Shrubs and bushes in flower beds should be trimmed neatly to create a neat appearance. If you want to put down mulch around the shrubs, that creates a nice look.

Remember to get the flower beds free of weeds as well. If you have smaller flower beds and want to add annual color, that will add some zest to the home.

Consider adding petunias or marigolds will add some bold color. You can keep them for several months by pruning back on the old blooms.

Flower beds that are neat and orderly definitely create an attractive yard and another way to update your front yard. These landscaping improvements will help to improve the overall home value.

Paint Your Front Door For More Exterior Appeal

After you have cleaned up the front of your home to ensure no cobwebs or leaves are hanging around, consider painting the front door and trim.

It can be a contrasting color to the home, which will add to the appeal of the exterior. Avoid any home improvements that may be too trendy, as they can be a turn-off for a potential buyer.

If you are selling your home, select a color appealing to the majority, as you don’t want the color to be too off-putting. Consider adding a seasonal wreath on the front door and a fresh entryway doormat.

All of these enhancements you are making to your home are considered exterior staging.

Update Your Exterior Light Fixtures

If your light fixtures are in good shape, then go ahead and just be sure to clean them and ensure the light bulbs are operable.

Light fixtures are considered fixtures in real estate as they are attached to the property.  If the light fixture is in disrepair, consider replacing them. Light fixtures are not all that expensive and consider a search at a home improvement store such as Ace Hardware or Lowes.

All of these steps will help you get the home ready for a spring sale should you decide that is the direction you plan to go.

Add an Architectural Mailbox to Help Update Your Front Yard

If you live in a home in an HOA, there may be restrictions on what type of mailbox you can put on the property. If not, some beautiful mailboxes can be added to the property and make the exterior and front yard more appealing.

There are many different mailboxes that you can select. Consider searching online for the type of mailbox you are seeking. There are mailboxes with a post or wall mount that you can select.

Many companies offer an option with the selection of the finish, including an architectural bronze finish. Keep in mind, if you live on the waterfront or ocean that is a more corrosive environment. This can impact the mailbox and cause it to corrode more quickly. Be sure to select a finish that will stand up to the elements.

Update Your House Numbers

Along with your upgraded mailbox, you can also upgrade the house numbers. There are many places where you can order house numbers to add to the appeal of the exterior of the home.

With a farmhouse-style home, many are using house numbers in script style with the house number, and some are even adding the name of the street.

Be sure to order house numbers that will tolerate the elements. The last thing you want is to purchase house numbers only to have them rusting or falling apart within the first few months of having them.

Add Exterior Lighting

There are some fabulous options to add exterior lighting to your flower beds and yard. If you have a beautiful tree as a focal point, then you may want to illuminate the tree. Add lighting in the flowerbeds to showcase the flowerbeds and seasonal flowers.

There are many options with exterior lighting, including solar, which is a great option. They are not difficult to install, and the wires are buried under the soil, which can be a relatively easy DIY project.

Get a timer for the lights and allow them to go on at sunset and stay on until dusk. Not only are the exterior lights aesthetically pleasing, but they also add to the safety of your home. The exterior lighting is a money-saving home improvement tip.

Final Thoughts

There are some fabulous ways to transform your home’s exterior by following the steps above. Be sure to maintain your home to prevent your home from accruing deferred maintenance.

Updating the exterior of the home will create a lasting impression of your home for visitors and buyers if you are selling.  There are many other ways to create a beautiful curb appeal of your home, so be creative and add to the value of your home.

Hopefully, you have found my tips for updating your yard to be useful.

The Quick Little Guide on the Fastest Way to Sell a House

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A Quick Little Guide on the Fastest Way to Sell a House

Do you need to sell a home fast? If this is your first time selling a house, you may realize that there are different challenges that are waiting for you.

For some people, there is a tendency to feel emotional during the process. This is somewhat normal especially when you lived in that house for a long time.

The memory in the place sometimes makes people question their decisions. But you should not let your emotions cloud your judgment because it may make you commit some mistakes in the process of selling.

Selling a house fast may seem to be a complex process for first-time sellers. This is because there are some parts of the process that you’re not familiar with. For other people, they struggle in the process of showing the house to potential buyers.

You will hear how people will critic and comment about the specific parts of your house. This may also affect you in some ways emotionally.

So before selling your home, you should familiarize yourself with the important things you need to remember.

Sell House Fast

Understanding the Mechanics of Home Selling

Putting your house in the market requires you to know the mechanics of selling a house. A lot of people commit mistakes and end up waiting for a long time for the property to be sold.

Prices, insurance, real estate agents, and other factors are determinants of the success of your journey as a selling.

Understanding how these factors can affect the whole process will give you enough idea on how to strategize.

So, before you even decide on prices and other stuff, learn about the mechanics of home selling. Know the simple steps and the common mistakes people commit.

Avoid these Mistakes when Selling Your Home

Here are the different mistakes you should avoid to make sure that you will be able to sell your house faster.

Getting Emotional

This is the most common mistake that people who lived in the house for a long time commit.

People usually get emotional in the process of selling a house because of many factors. But this is something that can get in the way of being able to sell it. There are some people who suddenly feel like they are no longer sure if they really want to sell the property.

So before you sell, you have to make sure that you are emotionally ready.

Setting an Unrealistic Price

Another reason why it is usually taking too long before a property is sold is the unrealistic price being set by the seller. To avoid this, you have to check the market and determine the real market value of your property.

You need to pay particular attention to the right real estate comparables. In other words, the homes that are truly similar to yours. Analyzing comps correctly is one of the key ways to ensure your home is priced appropriately from day one.

There are some homes that make really good comps and others that do not. You can also ask the help of real estate experts for this.

Also, keep in mind your home is going to need to pass the buyer’s lender’s real estate appraisal.

Not Carrying Proper Insurance

Most people as mentioned by cash for homes are looking for properties that are insured. One of the common mistakes that sellers make is not having the insurance details while selling.

Buyers also make their own research before buying a house. They know the importance of getting a property that is insured.

Few Simple Steps on How to Sell Your House

To assist you, here are some steps you can take to ensure that you will be successful in selling your house.

Sell Your House to a Wholesaler

A wholesaler is someone who sells houses for the seller at a higher price and gets the difference as his or her part.

There are different reasons why you should get a wholesaler. Firstly, they have quite a great number of prospects and potential buyers. Aside from that, they also ensure that your property will be sold at your asking price.

Find the Right Real Estate Agent

There are several things you should consider when you are looking for a real estate agent.

You have to check their track record and see how they are performing But most importantly, you have to ensure that they are familiar with the neighborhood where your house is located.

Interviewing real estate agents before choosing is one of the best ways for you to be able to get the best one.

Declutter Your Home

This is an important reminder before you even decide to sell your house. Make sure that it is ready to be photographed and featured in the market. Real Estate agents refer to this as staging the home properly. Staging can be everything from removing unwanted items to making repairs, to changing up the furniture, to changing paint colors.

Some folks have so much stuff they need to rent either a self-storage unit or a Pod in order to get their extraneous stuff out of their home.

You can start by eliminating things that are not necessarily important in the selling process.

Consider a Short Sale of Your Home

This option is for homeowners who still have an amount due on their mortgage. If you are financially distressed, the best way for you to be able to successfully get a buyer is to short sale your home.

Many buyers are looking for houses in short shale because of the reduction in the price.

Check Your Curb Appeal

One of the things that people check, whenever they are buying a house, is the external appearance. You have to check if your walkways, yard, lawn, and even driveway look good online and personal. The house should be inviting and appealing.

When it comes to the exterior there are fewer things more important than your home’s curb appeal.

Keep Up with Current Technology

Now that technology has already changed the way people live, buyers are also looking for the newest tech upgrade in houses they visit.

Start with your security features and look for the best gadgets that can ensure this. From securing your front door to some auto blinds, you are certainly putting your house on top of the others in the market.

Write a Great Listing Description

Listing is something that people check. Make sure that your description will make potential buyers interested in visiting your house.

A great listing description is short and catchy. It should contain the most important details buyers should know about your house.

Bottom Line

Selling your house successfully can be achieved with the proper strategy. As the homeowner, you know exactly what should be changed and what to improve in your home.

In taking photographs, be honest and yet be challenged by the fact that there are other houses being sold in the market.

DIY Home Staging Tips – Stand Out From The Competition

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How to Stage Your Home Yourself

Do you need to get your home looking better? Are you looking for some DIY home staging tips that will help make your home stand out from the competition?

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home staging is the skill of transforming your home into a product that will be generally pleasing to most onlookers.

While there are many reasons for staging a home, the most popular would be when a home is up for sale. It is about optimizing the layout and space of your home in a manner that highlights its best peculiarities making it stand out from other houses in the market.

This art is becoming quite popular owing to the results it brings to homeowners. In this DIY home staging tips article, we will focus on the major components of a typical home.

DIY-Home-Staging-Tips

Clean and Repair to Start The Home Staging Process

Clean and repair are the rule of the thumb when it comes to DIY home staging. For any room, this can be one of the largest hindrances for home clients. Having a clean home that is free of major repairs makes your home seem move-in ready, so potential clients are not coming up with the list of stuff requiring extra work on their part.

Before you start adding decor pieces, try to get your house in top shape. Fix anything that is broken and work on decluttering the various parts of your home. It would be highly advisable first to get rid of anything you no longer need or want.

One of the better avenues to take would be to hire one of the top junk removal companies such as 1800 GOT JUNK or another refuse removal company like them. They will come to your home with a truck and take away what you don’t want.

If some of your things have value they will donate the items to charity for you – a nice bonus to be able to help someone out in need. Once you have the larger items out of the way, you’ll want to start organizing what remains.

This means removing unnecessary items from cabinets and closets to show that the home has plenty of storage area. Also, remove clutter from the garage, attic, and basement so that the floors are easily visible and people can start to imagine their furniture and belongings in the area.

After cleaning, repairing, and removing the unused items out of the way you can shift your focus to staging each room in the house to appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Even homes that are in bad condition can benefit from home staging. Even properties that need some TLC show much better when they are not filled and unorganized with junk.

Kitchen Home Staging tips

Certainly, this is one of the places in your home that needs to be staged exceptionally well since it will help you sell. Normally, homeowners are seeking stylish and refreshed kitchens, thus, you need to learn what is trending.

First and foremost, make sure the kitchen is sparkling clean. Declutter the countertops, clean the floors, and make all the appliances as clean and sparkly as possible.

As you might expect, it is the tiny details that make a lot of difference in home staging.

For instance, fresh fruit and flower bowls can produce a little life in your kitchen. You can enhance it with a few excellent stemwares that are set out to encourage visitors to think of entertaining in the place.

In case you own a breakfast bar, position the stools nearby but with a bit of space between the stools and bar to give the image that the bar is spacious.

Make sure all the lights are on and if there are windows, allow as much natural light as possible by opening curtains and blinds.

Living Room Home Staging Tips

When preparing the living room for potential buyers, your aim should be to make it appear big and spacious with a lot of possibilities.

This is essential because oftentimes, this is the area that a majority of homeowners gather and entertain. Make this area simple and eliminate any unnecessary and bigger decoration items.

Accentuate the windows and natural light by pulling back drapes or curtains and opening up the blinds and shades.

Luckily, the living room is the simplest place to include modern trends too, without necessarily going overboard. Although going out to purchase all brand-new decor accessories is not a must, it is a good idea to have trendy accessories that stand out.

Bright, dissimilar palettes are not just in fashion but can be a tool to attract attention to particular traits of the home that you wish to show off.

Bathroom House Staging Tips

The bathroom is another area that can impact a home for sale. Usually, potential buyers will look for a comfortable and ultra-modern bathroom that makes them feel relaxed.

Replacing old light fixtures with modern items is an inexpensive way to lighten the area and add modern touches. If you have the budget, you may consider replacing colored tile with more neutral-toned tile.

The idea is to show your potential buyer the inherent feasibility of your bathroom.

Normally, it is good to add nice items such as candles, towels, decorative soaps, small plants, and other common items found in your bathroom.

Although you don’t spend a lot on DIY home staging, replacing things like bath mats and towels can indeed bring some desirable impacts.

Additionally, a bathroom is a place you should spend extra time cleaning, eliminating any build-up or mildew from the moisture. This can be an immense hindrance for buyers and may even be a reason your home will not sell.

Bedroom Staging Tips

While you want the bedroom to be inviting, you also want it to be neutral enough that a potential buyer can envision living in that room.

You will need to eliminate anything that is messing up your bedroom, as well as photos and personal items. This can mislead the buyer from noticing other appealing qualities of the home.

Have suitable and neutral colors on the bedding as well as a limited number of throw pillows. Be sure the bedroom is sufficiently lit before showing, either with natural light that comes from the windows or decorative light installations.

Home Staging Tips For Your Entrance

The front entrance to the home is what people will see when looking at pics online and determining if they even want to visit your home.

Clean the door and any windows around the entrance. Remove any clutter from the front porch or steps. Add some color by placing a seasonal plant near the door.

If the house number is on the door, or near the door, either clean it diligently or replace it with new numbers.

All of these items can draw more eyes to your listing and help you to sell quicker.

Final Thoughts On DIY Home Staging Tips

You don’t have to follow any complex rules with these DIY home staging tips. Focusing on little details always makes your home stand out. Making some repairs and cleaning is a simple but excellent step to consider to render your home even more attractive to potential buyers.

By doing so you will also increase the chances that when the appraiser visits your home will look even more favorable.

Even More Home Staging Resources:
Staging your home may seem like a waste of time and money but the reality is that in most cases, staging a home can be very beneficial to a home seller. Take a look at this post by Sharon Paxson to learn about how to stage a home and why it’s so important!

Virtual Staging Versus Home Staging: Which Is Better? If you don’t know what virtual staging is, to put it simply, you’re staging your home for the web but not for the in-person visit. Does that matter? It depends and I would encourage you to read this insightful article about virtual staging by Conor MacEvilly.

If you don’t “wow” potential home buyers with a great first impression, there’s a good chance you will not get top dollar for your home. Staging your home is an art and if it is not taken seriously, your home could look downright UGLY. Michelle Gibson goes through home staging mistakes that must be avoided if you want to create a lasting first impression.

Use all of these additional home staging articles to make your home look like a showplace. If you have the time to put it in, DIY home staging can save you lots of money and get your place looking as good as a pro. Best of luck!