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Lighting Up the New Year!

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Lighting within your home is very important, especially in a vacant home with no overhead ceiling lights.  The most important element to lighting is that it is balanced and casts no shadows.  Using a 60 watt bulb is usually best, but a 75 watt may be better in a really dark or extra large room.  After Furniture placement, make sure the lights are kitty-corner from each other and not all on one side.  If they must be on one side, then consider placing a floor lamp across from them to create the desired balance.

It is much darker during the winter months so light your home as much as possible.  It will create welcomeness and warmth, instead of feeling scary and unfamiliar.  Some rooms may have just one dim ceiling light, this could be a good opportunity to add table or floor lamps.

Lighting is also important for photos.  Walk through each room to see if the light looks balanced.  Does it feel warm and inviting?  Take a picture with your phone to see if there are shadows.  If the light is unbalanced, it will show a flash to one side of the room.  Have you noticed in homes online that are not lit properly look dark and dingy.  You may not be able to see in a corner, or distinguish room from room.  You want to highlight each room so the potential buyer can see everything that your home has to offer.

Final Thought…  “A good intention, with a bad approach, often leads to a poor result.”  Thomas A. Edison

Wall Paper, Paint, Wood Paneling Oh My!!!

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“What were they thinking?”

We have all thought this Exact thing looking at interior paint color choices.

Now this is where you have the choice…do you make a simple change, or leave people with this frightful, poor color image.

Paint is an important key factor in neutralizing a home.  Having bright or dated color is very distracting and unpleasing to potential buyers.  Neutral, light colored paint can freshen up up any room.  A neutral color will offer continuity and consistency throughout the home.  It will have the buyer seeing its potential, not its sudden and drastic wall color changes.  I recommend a flat finish paint because it hides imperfections and provides easier touchups.  As mentioned in my previous blog, Preparing Your Home for Sold, Chintz and Revere Pewter are smart color choices.

The dreaded wallpaper is a must to remove!  Many sellers do not want the hard work of removing it.  Well, neither does the potential buyer.  Wallpaper can be a deal breaker.  If  you choose to leave the wall paper,  you could be significantly reducing your selling profit.  A possible buyer is not always looking for a home that needs updating.  There have been many improvements to wall paper and removing solutions over the years.  Many options are available to help you remove it safely, easily, and without wall damage.  Do not let a potential buyer pass your home by because of unpleasant and dated wall coverings…even if it’s Italian!

Wood paneling makes a lot of us cringe, but it may be a permanent wall.  A simple and inexpensive solution would be to paint it.  Creamy white tends to look best.  Use an oil based or a satin impervo paint, these will give it a natural appearance.  They lay thicker on wood giving it a richer look.

Final Thought…  Have your home buyer feeling…There’s No Place Like Home

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My Thoughts on Choosing a Realtor and Having them Represent You the Right Way!

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I am writing this blog in reference to the many calls and emails that I receive on a daily bases about picking a Realtor.  This is the information that I tell people to look for in a real estate agent.  Not everyone may agree, but not all real estate agents are the same.  These are the main points that I have learned over the years that will help you to identify the correct agent.

 

Make sure the Realtor that you choose to sell your home will do the following things:

  1. List the property on MLS and have professional photos.  Buyers look online first and your property should have professional photos – this is the first sign of a professional real estate agent that understands today’s market.  Having your home professionally staged will make these photos shine over the competition.
  2. Price the property correctly.  Get to know your competition.  Supply and demand within a neighborhood play an important role in pricing.  Have your agent show you open houses in the area.  Sometimes a seller believes their home is worth a certain number, but that can be far from the truth.  Your agent should be Brutally Honest with you…even if it is not what you want to hear. 
  3. Have a professional sign in the front yard.  The sign should have a direct number to your real estate agent, not a general information number.  Potential buyers are calling because they are interested, you want them speaking directly to your agent.  There should also be a full size brochure box with color photos.  Again, potential buyers are grabbing this information because they are interested.  The real estate agent should keep this box fully stocked.  Exposure creates interest!
  4. Have the property present on the internet.  Social media is very important.  Most agents have access to several real estate websites to promote their listings.  Make sure that you have a web savvy agent.
  5. Print advertising.   Yes…people still read from magazines and the newspaper…crazy right! 😉  Encourage your real estate agent to promote your property in local newspapers or magazines in full color.
  6. Realtor availability.  They should be available day, night, and weekends.  Do not expect a return call instantly, but at least within 24 hours.  One of the biggest frustrations that I hear about is when an agent calls another to make an offer and that agent doesn’t return the call until the next day or after the weekend.  This could make a potential buyer move on to another property that they like.  You want a real estate agent that will network and work cooperatively with other agents.  Seasoned agents tend to know other agents in the area and have good working relationships with them.
  7. Points of interest . Have a printed out Points of Interest brochure available for potential buyers to take with them at your home.  This is the only way that you can tell them about all of the upgrades and great features that your home has to offer.  One of the main conversations that I have with the homeowner when I come to do a consultation is everything that is great about their home and what upgrades that they have done to it.  No one knows the home better than you.  And Remember, from my previous Blog Should I Stage My Vacant Home, one of the most important things is what that potential buyer remembers from your home above all others.  Having this Points of Interest to look back at later with help them remember your homes wonderful features!
  8. Realtor sells full-time.  It isn’t that newer agents aren’t capable, it is just a factor in making an informed decision.  Many “experienced” agents may not be the best choice either, especially if they haven’t kept up with technology. You deserve an agent that is committed and knowledgeable.

Final Thought…  An Educated, Committed Realtor + Professional Staging = SOLD!