Posts tagged selling your home

Show It To Sell It

Mar01
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

Marketing your home is all about playing up/emphasizing its features.

Is the land the best part? Then clear out brush, clean up sheds, mow the lawn, trim the bushes. Are the brand-new hardwood floors the hot feature? Then get them in shining, gleaming condition and place furniture in such a way that the floors get noticed (i.e., don’t let them be so cluttered that you can’t see anything!).

The key is: Make the most of what your home has got.

Think about the bedrooms.

Many times, in a home with three or more bedrooms, one bedroom might be used as an office or a workout room or for storage or something else. That’s convenient for you, and while you’ve been the one living there, that’s all that matters. But now you want to sell. And if you’re advertising your home as having four bedrooms, make it look like there are four bedrooms, with a bed in each.

You’re selling now, so it’s about playing up your home’s features.

Along those lines, your bedrooms should be clean, spotless, free of clutter and freshly vacuumed or swept. Don’t overlook the closets; buyers will be free to open them and have a look inside. The more empty space they see, the easier it will be for them to imagine their own belongings inside.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

5 New Ways to Change Your Game

Feb01
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

slamdunk

It’s a new year, the holidays are over, and your house still displays a For Sale sign in the front yard. Though you had hoped to have your house sold by now, that doesn’t mean it’s time to hang the white flag of surrender and take your house off the market. In a slow real estate market, it’s standard for a house to be on the market for up to a year or longer. So instead of getting discouraged, change your game. Take it to the next level. There are always new tactics for home sellers to try, such as these five:

• Visit open houses in your town or surrounding towns. Act like a potential homebuyer and gain perspective on what else is out there, and how other home sellers are trying to spark the interest of buyers. Also, take note of what areas of the house you notice first, and remember this when it comes to your own house.

• Videotape your house. Start from the driveway, head up the front walkway and through the front door, and then tape each room. Watching a video will help you see your house in a new way, and you might notice areas to improve that you otherwise would have glanced over.

• If you’ve been hosting open houses on weekends only, try hosting an open house on a weeknight or even on a weekday. This will attract potential homebuyers who work different hours and can’t make regularly scheduled open houses. Also, the competition of other open houses will be lower at these times.

• Consider every offer. Even if the offer is ridiculously low, consider other factors about the potential buyer. Does he or she have good credit? Is he or she willing to move in when you are ready to move out? In a slow market, it’s smart to decide on a “last resort” amount so that you’re prepared to accept less than you wanted.

• If you’ve updated anything in your house since you purchased an ad with Buy Owner, contact us so that we can update your information. On your own time, use social networking sites to continually market your home to potential homebuyers. Don’t give up!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged ,

Reason #24 to Sell with Buy Owner: Zestimate® Feature!

Jan24
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Shanna

When you market your home through BuyOwner.com, you have several cool tools at your disposal. From within your Seller Tools online, for example, you can see what Zillow’s Zestimate value for your home would be!

Did You Know?
The #1 reason homes stay on the market too long is pricing. It’s true. So if yours is priced too high, you scare away buyers and reduce your chances of selling.

Use the Zestimate tool within your Seller Tools to find Zillow’s estimated market value and suggested price range appropriate for your property!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged ,

Reason #21 to Sell with Buy Owner: Google Maps

Jan21
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Carrie

When you want to advertise the features of your property on the Buy Owner site, there is a lot of information to convey. You’ll want the ad to describe the ins and outs of the home, but you may also want to communicate the location.

That’s where Google Mapping comes into play!

Show potential buyers your home’s exact location, if you’d like. The custom Google Map can appear below your home’s description or in a tab on Elite ads, and it will show your home’s pinpoint on a map of the area.

Plus, here are just some of the other bits of information a potential buyer will see on your Google Map:

  • Highways
  • Parks
  • Public transportation stops
  • Schools (customizable)
  • Streets/intersections

A buyer may even choose which schools are shown on the map, or they can hide the schools altogether. 

Head over to BuyOwner.com to see this tool in action!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

The Basics of Pricing Your Home

Sep28
2009 1 Comment Written by Blog Master

save money

You probably already know how significant the listing price of your home can be. Price too high, and you scare away qualified buyers; price too low, and you get less money than you could have. We’ve written here at the Buy Owner Blog about the perils of poor pricing before, but let’s talk now about the way to do it right:

Determine Your Margin
One of the first factors you need to consider is equity. If you’ve been in your home for several years or if you put down a large down payment, you have a pretty good idea how much money you’d like to get out of the house when you sell. That number may be tainted by your financial situation, if, say, you’re in financial trouble and need to sell quickly, in which case it could be best to lower your price, even if you take a short-term loss. No matter what, you need to make sure you’ll get enough money out of your house to pay off the mortgage and find new living arrangements. In today’s market, in some areas, the upside-down nature of real estate could make this a difficult proposition.

Do Some Research
The local MLS and a quick online search can help you identify properties that are considered to be comparable to yours. If you want to sell your house quickly, price your home as the best deal on the market by setting your price lower than all similar ones in your area. By using Buy Owner, you’re already cutting the cost of commissions, so lowering your price should be possible to do without taking a significant hit to your profit.

A real estate appraiser can also help you price your home. Most buyers will need a recent appraisal in order to qualify for a mortgage on your home anyway, so it may be worth the small investment required to have the home appraised prior to putting it on the market. Any time you can sell your home “below appraisal,” you have a better chance of selling it quickly.

If you price your home and no one comes to see it, you may have priced it too high. Remember that one of the best reasons to sell by owner is the flexibility it allows, and you can always lower the cost of your home if activity is less than you desire or if offers come in significantly lower than your asking price.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,

Staying Positive in a Slow Market

May04
2009 1 Comment Written by Carrie

positive

Although times are tough in the real estate world, we must keep a cheery disposition. Here are the top five ways to stay positive during this slow market:

1. Relish the extra time: If you put your home on the market without taking the time to make sure that everything is in order, you will now be able to do so! You can take your time, making the necessary repairs around the house and maintaining/adding to the landscaping.

2. Remain optimistic: There are a lot of buyers out there. After all, you may be searching for a new home, or you may have even found one already. Someone out there is in your (buying) shoes and might just purchase your home!

3. Be proactive: Don’t wait for the buyers to come to you. Create flyers, brochures, etc. Update your listing on the Buy Owner website by logging into your seller tools, and contact the customer service department with any questions.

4. Cut costs: Offer incentives like a painting or carpet allowance. A happy buyer makes for a happy you (seller).

5. Stay educated: Check back here at the Buy Owner Blog regularly for great tips on selling your home!

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged ,

Should You Hire a Professional Decorator?

Jan09
2009 1 Comment Written by Carrie

 

Whether your home is a vintage fixer-upper or a brand-new, blank canvas, there are many things you need to consider before redecorating your abode. Many homeowners have an intricate design plan in mind; others know that they just want to remodel, but do not have a clue where to begin. In either case, the successful completion of such a massive project could benefit from the services of a professional decorator.

Here are a few reasons why you may need to hire a professional decorator:

 You do not have any personal time (i.e., you are always busy with work and family).
 You cannot decide on a color scheme or a pattern.
 You want to recreate a room that you saw on an HGTV show or in a home decor magazine, but you are unsure how to do it.
 You want a one-of-a-kind design.
 You have acquired many different pieces of furniture over the years and are unsure on how to make them work together in the same space.

There are lots of advantages to hiring a decorator. Many professionals offer you assistance in areas in which you may have very little knowledge. They can advise you of the latest decorating trends and provide you with the newest products on the market. And because of their numerous business contacts, decorators may even be able to find materials and gadgets at lower, discounted rates.

Before hiring a professional decorator, follow these general guidelines:

 Check his or her reputation. Find out if previous clients are satisfied with the work that was done to their homes. Feel free to ask for references. After all, this is a job interview.

 Look into his/her experience. Does your professional decorator have any training? Most professionals will have a college degree or some type of education involving interior design. You may also want to ask to see samples of their work.

 Ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask questions. THEY work for YOU. Find out what ideas your professional decorator has for your home. Decorators typically offer different perspectives on color schemes and design layouts.

Remember, the final say is yours, and you can change your mind at any time. Professional decorators are there to enhance your vision, not to completely alter it. With a few suggestions, lots of tips and an expert opinion, you are sure to love your newly decorated home.

Posted in Home Improvement, New Features, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,

101 Tips for Selling Your Home

Oct12
2008 6 Comments Written by Shanna

If you’re selling your home, this list of 101 tips is definitely a must-read. In today’s slower market, it’s not enough to stick a sign in the front yard and continue life as usual. Buyers have more than enough homes to choose from, so sellers need to be proactive about getting their properties noticed.

Essentially, selling in a slow market is all about outshining the competition. Here are some specific tips, tricks and ideas to send you on your way:

1. Price accurately.
2. Be aware of market conditions.
3. Look at other for-sale homes within a half mile or less.
4. Look at other similar, recently sold (within the last three months) homes in the area.
5. Get a presale home inspection or appraisal.
6. Set an asking price that reflects an understanding of the current market.
7. If you want to sell fast, aim to be 10% lower than similar homes in the same area. Buyers will take notice!
8. Offer incentives, if possible.

9. Market aggressively through Buy Owner.
10. Consult a Buy Owner representative.
11. Communicate your home’s features to your rep.
12. Ask him or her any questions that are on your mind.
13. Work with the rep to create a customized ad package to meet your needs.
14. Take advantage of Buy Owner’s professional photography.
15. Feature virtual tours in your online advertising.
16. Review the ad copy created by Buy Owner and edit anything you need to.
17. Use your seller tools to create flyers.
18. Distribute these flyers anywhere you can.
19. Link to your Buy Owner ad through free sites online.
20. Use your seller tools to check the stats on your property.

21. Make a good first impression!
22. Aim to make your home stand out amongst the competition.
23. Repaint or power-wash the exterior.
24. Check the exterior of your home for signs of wear and damage & correct them (examples: peeling paint, foundation cracks or loose shingles).
25. Repaint the front door.
26. Make sure the doorbell works.
27. Add decorative accents like a wreath.
28. Place colorful potted plants at the entry.
29. Plant flowers amongst the landscaping.
30. Trim the bushes and add fresh mulch.
31. Fertilize the lawn; make sure it’s manicured.
32. Rake leaves in autumn.
33. Shovel and salt the driveway and walkways in winter.
34. Power-wash the driveway.
35. Clean out the garage.
36. Clean all the windows.

37. Declutter the living spaces.
38. Hold a garage sale to get rid of things you don’t need.
39. Move about half of your stuff to storage.
40. Stage the interior with strategically chosen furniture.
41. Remove all personal items (photos, diplomas, religious items).
42. Clean off the fridge!
43. Organize the closets; put as much away in storage as possible.
44. Remove everything from the floors of closets.
45. Hide away unsightly cords and wiring.
46. Top the beds with fresh sheets.
47. Put out fresh towels in the bathrooms.
48. Scrub the walls and floors thoroughly.

49. Focus on the heart of the home: the kitchen.
50. Replace any damaged or extremely outdated appliances (with good, but not most expensive, alternatives).
51. If cabinets are outdated, consider updating, rather than replacing, them: new knobs or doors can make a big difference.
52. Consider updating fixtures for another cost-effective change.
53. Clear the countertops.
54. Organize the cabinets and the pantry.
55. Clean and wax the floors.
56. Put away unused smaller appliances like stand-mixers and toasters.

57. Fix up the interior.
58. Direct your lighting to highlight key areas.
59. Add lights to all corners of major rooms.
60. Replace lightbulbs with higher wattage ones.
61. Repaint walls with neutral colors.
62. Fix anything that’s broken.
63. Thoroughly clean or replace carpeting.
64. Consider improvements or renovations carefully.
65. Get rid of any unpleasant smells.

66. Create a backyard oasis.
67. Look for ways to play up your outdoor space.
68. Plant a garden to spruce up the look of your verdant landscaping.
69. Keep the pool immaculate and make it seem as low-maintenance as possible.
70. Take care of any surrounding tiling, decking or landscaping around the pool.
71. Adjust the chemical balance to make the water sparkling clear!
72. Keep hoses neatly wrapped up and put away.

73. Be ready to talk to buyers.
74. Known how to screen callers.
75. Ask if they’ve been prequalified.
76. Find out how far along in the selling process they are.
77. Be sure to get contact information.
78. Have key attributes of your home ready to bring up in the conversation.

79. Be available to show your home.
80. Try to be accommodating of the buyer’s schedule.
81. Only show your home when it’s in showing condition.
82. Don’t show your home alone.
83. Be prepared to “quick clean” when necessary.
84. Ask buyers to be prequalified (Refer them to Guaranteed Rate).
85. Keep pets out of sight if at all possible.

86. Hold open houses.
87. Schedule the open house for a weekend afternoon when not a lot of community events are going on.
88. Set the date and flag your open house on BuyOwner.com, through your Buy Owner seller tools.
89. Promote your open house everywhere you can.
90. Make the most of other open houses in the area. Check local ads, and when an open house is scheduled nearby, put out a sign and draw those visitors to your home.
91. On the day of the open house, have a niece or nephew run a lemonade stand out front. This will help draw in other passers-by, inviting them inside.
92. Set the internal temperature of your home to a comfortable level (turn on the A/C or heat, depending on the time of year).
93. Give buyers space when touring your home.
94. Answer any questions they raise.

95. Know how to negotiate.
96. Be as neutral as possible.
97. Build rapport with buyers.
98. Consider all offers.
99. Respond to concerns.
100. Counteroffer.
101. Make concessions.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , , ,

6 Tips for Selling in a Slow Market

Sep28
2008 1 Comment Written by Shanna

Even in a slow market, people buy homes. Whether due to relocation or life changes or something else, they need to find places to live. It’s just that in a slower market, there are fewer buyers buying, meaning there are plenty of homes for them to choose from. Available buyers can choose from the cream of the crop, usually at affordable prices.

So what does this mean for you as a seller? Simply put, it’s not enough to stick a sign in the front yard and continue life as normal.

Essentially, selling in a slow market is all about outshining the competition so you can appeal to the smaller pool of buyers. How can you do this? Here are six ideas:

1. Comparison Shop: Are there other homes for sale in your neighborhood? What about in your city for the same price range? Compared to these other for-sale properties, which you can be sure buyers will see, how does your home stack up? Knowing this information will help you know what needs to change (amenities, price, etc.) and can give you a great starting point for preparing to sell.

2. Advertise Aggressively: You need to get the word out about your home, ideally at a highly trafficked website that can appeal to visitors worldwide. Buy Owner is the nation’s leading “For Sale by Owner” company, providing customized individual ad pages with virtual tours, professional photography, quality descriptions and more. Advertise your home at a site like BuyOwner.com for maximum exposure.

3. Improve Curb Appeal: First impressions are incredibly important. The initial appeal (or lake thereof) can encourage a buyer inside or deter them from ever entering. Manicure the lawn, plant flowers, power-wash the driveway and/or walkways. The front of your home should wow anyone who pulls up.

4. Stage the Interior: Effective staging should showcase your home’s strengths by opening up the rooms with strategic furniture and décor placement. The goal should be making it easy for buyers to see themselves living in your home.

5. Offer Incentives: When you’re trying to stand out amongst other for-sale properties, incentives are a sure bet. Offer to give money back to the buyer or throw in some bonus with a completed sale, be it new carpeting or a vacation getaway!

6. Think Outside the Box: Selling your home fully furnished could be a selling factor for interested buyers. Even throwing in extras like appliances, a lawn mower, etc., may be enticing. Alternatively, you could offer a rent-to-own option, or you may choose to just rent altogether.

Posted in Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , ,

Decorating on the Cheap! (part 4)

Sep05
2008 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

furniture

This post wraps up our four-part series on low-cost decorating ideas.  

Furniture

If you moved into a new home with your old furniture that no longer impresses you, or you’re trying to hide old furniture from the eye of potential buyers, slip covers offer the most affordable option. Slip covers are available in abundant colors, fabrics and styles that could easily match the furniture to the style of room you’re going for. A solid color that connects well with the color and style of the walls and floors is the best choice. Slip covers hide stains, holes or outdated patters at an affordable price.

Add a custom design to an accessory for an extra flair that’ll catch anyone’s eye. Sew on fabric to the front of an accent pillow that will help your furniture match the rest of the room. Buy material that flaunts a pattern you love and use it as a table cloth! Fold up little pieces of fabric into formal dining room napkins and place one at each individual seat. Or, add one strip of the material to your neutral curtains or above blinds. A little bit of patterned fabric can go a long way and can drastically emphasize the style or flow of a room.

Even if you are dealing with old furniture, just some rearranging can create a polished look. If you have an antique piece of furniture, place it in your living room or sitting room where people don’t lounge as often. This will allow it to be admired rather than worn down. If you just updated the appliances in your kitchen or added high-tech electronics to your family room, keep the most modern and chic furniture in these rooms. Even if you don’t have an expensive dining room set, place your fanciest chairs in this room or buy slip covers for them. Add a bookshelf that you no longer have room for elsewhere and use it to hold china. Wherever you move your furniture, make sure its location makes sense with its surroundings.

You can paint old furniture for a quicker, more creative and fun route. Buy stencils and carve designs into wood or draw designs into material. You might want to practice first so your stencil is perfectly placed into your furniture. A little craftiness can go a long way in helping your furniture to look updated.

As with the floors, polish wooden furniture, spray glass surfaces and dust all surfaces. Cleaning can go a long way to make your furniture look its best. You can also add lamps to tabletops to brighten up a room and add plants to make the room airier and homier. Accessories can go a long ways no matter where they are placed in the home.

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Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , ,
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