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Things “Not To Do” When Selling Your Home
Deciding to put your home on the market is a major decision that can be extremely stressful. Sellers can become overwhelmed and make expensive mistakes. Here are some major pitfalls to avoid…
Don’t fail to disclose defects. Disclosure laws require you to reveal pertinent information about the home systems, including environmental issues, structural problems, homeowner’s association rules and restrictions on use of the property. Many buyers will require an inspection of your property prior to finalizing the sale, and problems you may try to conceal will often come to light.
Don’t make last-minute improvements that may not add potential value. Remodeling takes time and money, will prolong the work of getting your home ready to show, and won’t necessarily please all potential buyers. Don’t price your home too high. Your asking price should be within range of comparable homes in the area that have recently sold. And finally, don’t try to sell your home without the help of an experienced real estate agent!
If you need help Buying or Selling, please call me.
Amy Underwood
cell: 972-921-8787
Owner/Agent
www.NorthTexasHomeFinders.com Please put “Amy” in the “How Did You Hear About Us Section”
Two of my recent listings were under-contract the First week to the First person who saw the home. Why? Because my clients listened to what I told them to do and priced the home according to our market research. Of course, my marketing is exceptional, but it really comes down to the presentation your home makes when you first see it at the curb. Here are some easy updates that don’t cost too much Cash, but do need elbow grease!
Look at the outside of the home. This is the first impression of a future homeowner. We are going for “WOW.”
In the winter time, rake all the leaves from the trees. Make sure to weed the flower beds , trim dead folliage, and put down new mulch. If you have the cash, add some pansies in the flower beds for a pop of color. Keep in mind, I sell homes in Texas, so we rarely get snow. But if you do, you must shovel the sidewalk and lead-walks to your home. If your driveway is in front you will need to shovel it too.
In the summer time, make sure to cut grass weekly, water the yard and bushes/flowers as needed. Shape the bushes and trees so they always look their best. These will grow faster than you think! You MUST have flowers in the summer. Don’t skimp on this one.
Year round, keep all garden tools including the water hose put up either in a holder or in the garage or storage shed. You are creating a scene of you home. People don’t want to think about the maintenance work that comes along with it.
If you have a front entry garage you must make sure it is clean. No concrete stains of oil, chalk drawings by the kids, etc. Also remove any cars parked in front of your home or in the driveway for scheduled showings.
Look at your gutters. Are they clean? Do you have those solar path lights? Remove them immediately. They look like runway lights for airplanes and detract from you house. We want to draw the eye up to the home, not down on the ground. A buyer may question the lead walk with these type of lights (Am I or my visitors going to trip when they come to see me?).
Your front porch, no matter how small or large must have a welcome mat. Don’t get too personal here. Remember you want people to think of this home as theirs. Avoid collegiate references, names, and initial mats. Remember the presentation of your home is different from how you live in a home. Think model home that you see in new communities. If your porch is large enough this can be a great place to set a scene. Add a small table with 2 chairs to show that the neighborhood is friendly. If you don’t have room for a table and chairs, add a pot with flowers and ivy (in the summer) or pansies (in the winter). Do not block the pathway to the door, it is better to have no pot if it is going to make your porch seem small. Remember to keep this swept from leaves, dirt, garden trimmings, etc year round.
Get a start on your packing for your next home and put up any empty pots, garden flags (unless you have the american flag displayed), and garden art (frogs, welcome plaques, wreaths on the front door, etc). No kids toys should be at the front of the home(this includes the porch) with the exception of a built-in basketball goal. Make sure to store all sporting equipment, balls, walkers, kid cars, wagons, etc in the garage or better yet pack up most of it and leave just one or two items for the kiddos to play. When you unpack at your new home it will feel like Christmas for the kids. This can help with the transition to the new home.
Now look at your front door and the area around it. How is the paint? Is the stain of the door faded? Either re-stain it or paint it black. Black doors work with almost any brick color. Look at the hardware on the door. Is it brass? Is it tarnished? Clean it up or if you cannot get it to shine, buy new hardware at Lowes or Home Depot. I have coupons I can send you for the hardware store. Just email me.
We will continue this post next week with a look at the inside of your home.
Article by NewHomeGal, Teresa Robinson, Owner/Agent
Contact Teresa at 972.335.0571 or Teresa@NorthTexasHomeFinders.com Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information. For community-specific information, also visit www.BuyProsper.com for added content. Interested in a free market snapshot of your community? Visit www.dfwhomeexperts.com and sign up today!
Why should we use North Texas Home Finders to sell our existing home?
I thought you only worked with buyers.
When we created our company we focused on buyers only. Now we have taken that expertise and applied it to selling properties. We know through first hand experience what buyers are looking for in their new home. We also focus 100% of our selling efforts with internet based applications. Why? Take a look at the statistics published from the National Association of Realtors:
- 1999: 37% of buyers searched for a home online. 2009: 90% of buyers searched for a home online.
- 1999: median home value is $137,600. 2009: median home value is $172,600 (but note that some reports reflect that when accounting for inflation, the value hasn’t changed at all this decade).
- 1999: 82% of buyers purchased detached, single family homes. 2009: 78% of buyers purchased detached, single family homes.
- 1999: 46% of buyers choose suburban neighborhoods. 2009: 54% of buyers choose suburban neighborhoods.
- 1999: 68% of buyers were married couples. 2009: 60% of buyers are married couples.
- 1999 and 2009: the median age for buyers was 39.
- 1999 and 2009: “neighborhood quality, affordability, and convenience to work and school have consistently been top priorities.”
Some interesting facts, huh? The Robinson Team of North Texas Home Finders, takes this information and makes sure we are reaching the correct audience for your property. We treat the sale as if it were our own property that we were selling.
Article by Teresa Robinson, Owner/Agent, North Texas Home Finders
Contact Teresa at 972.335.0571 or Teresa@NorthTexasHomeFinders.com
Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information. For community-specific information, also visit www.BuyProsper.com for added content.
After 7 years in new construction and now 2 years in traditional real estate, I have heard this same question over and over again from people who are frustrated with selling their existing home (builders included).
So what is the number 1 MUST DO, to sell your existing home? It is really simple, but most agents don’t spend enough time on it. You must understand your competition. Personally visit with your agent, every home in your community that is on the market that compares in size and price you have set. Make sure your home outshines the competition in every way. Landscaping must be better, the home must be cleaner, smell better, be decorated better, and highlight the features that make your home unique from the other ones the buyers are looking at.
Remember, when a buyer is looking for a new home, they are going to look at all the offerings in their price range that meet their requirements. As a seller, you have a good chance of selling faster, if you completely understand the competition. Your selling agent should do this for you, but it helps if you visit a few to understand why your agent is asking you to do certain updates, decluttering, etc.
Article by NewHomeGal, also known as Teresa Robinson. Contact the Robinson Team at 972.335.0571. They can help you sell your existing home and find your next one too!
Get a Buyer Specialist and rest easy! The builder pays our service charge from their advertising budget which is built into every home they sell. Since these fees do not come out of the home construction budget, you cannot negotiate one penny of a better deal alone. We also work with preowned homes where the seller pays our fees! Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information.
This article was taken from Realtor.com article published in April 2009. Good stuff for staging your home to sell.
In today’s market, sellers have to work harder to persuade buyers that their property is worth the bite.
Landscape designer Michael Glassman has cooked up a recipe for guaranteed curb appeal.
1. Add splashes of color. With every changing season, a landscape should provide a new display of colors, textures, and fragrances. “It’s best to use one or two and repeat them,” Glassman says. Example: white iceberg roses that bloom in spring, summer, and fall as a backdrop; in front, a contrasting punch of purple salvia or lavender that will flower at the same time; and as an accent, a crape myrtle tree that provides changing leaf colors in fall and interesting branches come winter.
2. Size trees and shrubs to scale. These should be planted in the right scale for the house so that they don’t block windows, doors, and other architectural features on the home’s facade. A large two-story house can handle a redwood, Chinese pistache, sycamore, or scarlet oak, but a one-story cottage is better paired with a flowering cherry, crabapple, or eastern redbud. Too many trees cast too much shadow and cause potential buyers to worry about maintenance and costs.
3. Maintain a perfect lawn. A velvety green lawn demonstrates tender loving care, so be sure sellers’ homes don’t have brown spots. Some rocks, pebbles, boulders, drought-tolerant plants, and ornamental grasses will generate more kudos, especially in drought areas.
4. Light up the outside. Good illumination allows buyers to see a home at night and adds drama. Sellers should use low-voltage lamps to highlight branches of specimen trees, a front door, walk, and corners of the house. But less is better. The yard shouldn’t resemble an airport runway.
5. Let them hear the water. The sound of water appeals to buyers, and you shouldn’t just reserve this for your backyard. A small fountain accented with rocks provides a pleasant gurgling sound, blocks street noise, and is affordable.
6. Use decorative architectural elements. A new mailbox, planted window boxes, and a low fence wrapped in potato vines add cachet, particularly during winter months when fewer plants blossom. Colors should complement the landscape and home. Just don’t overdo it: Too much can seem like kitschy lawn ornaments.
Get a Buyer Specialist and rest easy! The builder pays our service charge from their advertising budget which is built into every home they sell. Since these fees do not come out of the home construction budget, you cannot negotiate one penny of a better deal alone. We also work with preowned homes where the seller pays our fees! Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information.
14 easy Weekend Tips for a “Smarter Home” from Popular Mechanics
1. Turn down the water heater: Lower the temperature to 120 F, and for every 10-degree drop, you recoup 3% to 5% of the power bill. No temperature dial on the tank? Check the temperature at the tap farthest from the heater.
2. Unplug appliances: Turn off power strips or pull the plug on appliances completely. Idle machines suck up 11% of your home’s electricity.
3. Clean your dryer: Slip a shop-vacuum hose into the dryer’s guts to remove lint wads and boost efficiency. Use an electric leaf blower to clear lint from vents that lead to the outside. It’ll work like new.
4. Optimize heating and cooling: Move furniture and rugs away from vents and radiators. Run a fan with the cooling system raised 2 degrees to drop cooling costs by 14%.
5. Drip-irrigate beds: Line gardens with hoses — no sprinklers, no hassle. Use mulch to retain moisture, and set timers to water in the morning.
6. Adjust mower blades: Cut no more than one-third the grass blades’ height — this helps your lawn develop strong roots, remain moist and absorb runoff.
7. Trust the dishwasher: Fully loaded, the dishwasher uses less water than hand-washing dishes. Save power by using the air-dry mode, not heat.
8. Insulate the attic hatch: Keep the conditioned air downstairs by weatherstripping the attic hatch’s edges. Cover the hatch with rigid polystyrene insulation.
9. Use small appliances: Downsize your cooking device: Toaster ovens consume half the energy of a full-size electric oven; microwaves use only one-third.
10. Install storm windows: Storm windows reduce heat loss through windows by 25% to 50%. Magnetic internal storm windows go up without a ladder.
11. Streamline the fridge: Fridges work best at about 38 F; freezers should register between 0 F and 5 F. Leave a thermometer inside for 24 hours, then check it.
12. Keep filters clean: Pleated electrostatic filters catch up to 60% of allergens (blue fiberglass ones catch only lint and dust). Change them every two to three months or as soon as they show discoloration.
13. Draw the curtains: Cover windows to prevent air loss. Curtains engineered for insulation multiply the R-value (a measure of thermal resistance) of standard insulated glass.
14. Fix a leaky toilet: Drop food coloring in the tank; if it ends up in the bowl, there’s a leak. Replacing the flapper can save thousands of gallons of water a year.
This article is courtesy of Elizabeth Svoboda for Popular Mechanics
If you need a professional to find your next home…call: Amy Underwood, Owner/Buyer Specialist, North Texas Home Finders Contact Amy at 972.921.8787 or Amy@Northtexashomefinders.com .
Get a Buyer Specialist and rest easy! The seller/builder pays our service charge from their advertising budget which is built into every home they sell. Since these fees do not come out of the home construction budget, you cannot negotiate one penny of a better deal alone. We also work with preowned homes where the seller pays our fees! Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information.
Beautiful home on corner lot boasts 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 car garage, covered porch, game room, in ground play pool, wood & carpet flooring. Eat in kitchen is open to family room with wonderful view of the backyard & pool. Guest bedroom and full bath downstairs with spacious game room, 2 bedrooms and master with sitting area on second level. Homeowners dues include front yard maint. Seller will pay $3000 towards decorating or closing costs.
To view this home, please call: Amy Underwood, Owner/Buyer Specialist, North Texas Home Finders Contact Amy at 972.921.8787 or Amy@Northtexashomefinders.com .
Get a Buyer Specialist and rest easy! The seller/builder pays our service charge from their advertising budget which is built into every home they sell. Since these fees do not come out of the home construction budget, you cannot negotiate one penny of a better deal alone. We also work with preowned homes where the seller pays our fees! Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information.
Many first time investors are trying to get out of the real estate game. Especially those that over extended themselves and bought homes using little or no money down in the hopes of building instant equity. In a few cases, families had to move due to job transfers or relocations. Finally, some people simply “right-sized” their home and have already moved into their new one. Now they need to sell the old one!
Selling a vacant home is much more difficult than an occupied home or one that has been professionally staged. Here are some minimum things you need to do to make sure the home is in top showing condition.
1. Clean out the cabinets, closet, garage and pantry. Many tenants will leave behind food and or trash. Be sure you go in after the last one has moved out and throw out any left overs. It is easy to drag out a personal move when you don’t have a time crunch. Last time we moved it took us a month to get the stuff out of the garage and attic. This doesn’t make for a good showing environment.
2. Clean out the refrigerator and put a box of baking soda in it to keep it smelling fresh. I was looking at a $400,000 vacant home over the weekend and the sub zero fridge had some sort of science experiment in it with mold growing out of a subway sandwhich no telling how old!
3. Keep the electricity/power on to the home. You need light to see the home. Remember many home buyers look at property after work. It is impossible for a home to be given a fair look if it is too dark.
4. Have the home professionally cleaned every few weeks. You will need to have a deep clean done when you or your tenants move out, then follow up at least every other week with a good vacuum and dusting. This will help your home smelling clean and fresh and not stale. A stale home isn’t very inviting, thus you will lose money on the transaction.
5. If you turn the water off, be sure to post signs in the bathrooms and around the sinks. Remember, you will need to turn it back on for inspections. If you live in Texas, turning off the water is never a good idea. The foundation needs to be watered in many cases to prevent damage. If you home gets foundation problems, that $50 a month you saved by turning off the water can cost you $1000s in repair costs.
6. Finally, keep up with the landscaping. Hire a service to mow, weed and edge once a week. If you can plant flowers and be sure to water the grass. You only have one chance to make a first impression. Make sure your property is making the best one possible.
The above items are the bare minimums you should do when you are trying to sell a vacant home. If you have a little extra cash, you might consider professional staging. Think of a builder’s model home. It looks like you could just change the photos to your family and settle in for the night.
Article by Teresa Robinson, Owner/Buyer Specialist, North Texas Home Finders Contact Teresa at 972.335.0571 or Teresa@Northtexashomefinders.com and she can help you sell your home or find a new one!
Get a Buyer Specialist and rest easy! The builder pays our service charge from their advertising budget which is built into every home they sell. Since these fees do not come out of the home construction budget, you cannot negotiate one penny of a better deal alone. We also work with preowned homes where the seller pays our fees! Visit www.northtexashomefinders.com for more information.
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