Getting Your Home Ready To Sell Depersonalize your house. You want buyers to view it as their potential home. You want buyers to be able to visualize their belongings and collectibles fitting in. Put away items such as family photos, sports trophies, collectibles and souveniers.
Remove all the clutter. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. Take a step back and pretend you are the buyer. Let your agent or a friend help point out areas of clutter. Consider not only what is visible to you such as your furniture and the overall appearance, but also open your kitchen cabinets, closets and storage areas.If they are all neat and tidy, prospective buyers will get the overall feeling of having a more sufficient amount of space.Sell excess items or keep them in storage until your home sells.
Inside Repairs. Do everything possible to create a positive impression, short of doing a major overhaul.Look closely at the inside of your home and make any necessary minor repairs.Plumbing and Fixtures.Fix any leaky faucets, shine up the chrome or buy new fixtures if needed.Walls and Ceilings.Painting can sometimes be your best investment because it gives a home a fresh clean appearance. Be certain to paint over any dirt or water stains and update outdated color schemes with neutral colors that will appeal to the most possible buyers. Flooring. Have your carpets shampooed and repair or replace any broken foor tile.Windows and Doors.Be certain that windows and doors open and close easily and without creaking, replace cracked or broken windowpanes.Odor Control.You may be used to the odors in your home, but to potential buyers they could help make or break a deal.If you are a smoker, minimize smoking indoors.Also, consider your pets and empty liter boxes daily, keep dogs outdoors as much as possible and sprinkle carpet freshener periodically.
Exterior Repairs. The exterior of your home is the most important because a homebuyer’s first impression is based on his or her view of the house from the real estate agent’s car.Look at your home objectively from the neighbor’s yard and across the street.Compare it to other homes in your neighborhood.Lawn and landscaping.Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood?If not, it needs fixing -- buy a few bushes and plant them. If you have an area for flowers, buy mature colorful flowers and plant them. They add a splash of vibrancy and color, creating a favorable first impression.If you don’t have a green thumb, try silk flowers (no one will notice from the road).Keep your lawn neatly manicured, edged and watered.Always rake loose leaves and grass cuttings.Painting.When you look at your house from across the street, does it look tired and faded? If so, a paint job may be in order.Roof.As for the roof, if you know your house has an old leaky roof, replace it.If you do not replace a leaky roof, you are going to have to disclose it and the buyer will want a new roof, anyway.Back Yard.The back yard should be tidy. If you have a pool or spa, keep it freshly maintained and constantly cleaned. For those that have dogs, be sure to constantly keep the area clear of "debris." The goal is to make the yard feel inviting.If you aren’t comfortable lounging in your own back yard, chances are that a prospective buyer won’t be either.Front Door and Entry.Make the entry into your home a pleasant first impression.Your front door should be especially impressing. Polish the door fixture so it gleams. If the door needs refinishing or repainting, make sure to get that done. Get a new plush doormat.Make sure the lock works easily and the key fits properly.
Pricing High?Say Goodbye… To Potential Buyers.
Listing price. When you price your home, it is important to consult your agent regarding a realistic market price.Too often, people make the mistake of pricing high and then dropping the price.If you start out with too high a price on your home, you have already reduced your potential buyers and your house could take longer to sell.Once your home sits on the market awhile potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the house and not give it serious consideration or they may think you are getting desperate, so they will make lower offers. By the time you drop your price, your house is "old news." You will never be able to recapture that flurry of initial activity you would have had with a realistic price.
Showing your home to home buyers
Convenience and availability.Your house should always be available for show, even if it is inconvenient for you. If you are not cooperative, agents my skip showing your home and show the house of someone who is more cooperative. Most agents will call and give you at least a couple of hours notice before showing your property. Why you should not be home.Homebuyers will feel like intruders if you are home when they visit, and they might not be as receptive toward viewing your home. Visit a local restaurant or take the kids to the local park. If you absolutely cannot leave, try to remain in an out of the way area of the house and do not move from room to room. Do not volunteer any information, but answer any questions the agent may ask.
Make A Lasting First Impression
Lights. When you know someone is coming by to tour your home, turn on allthe indoor and outdoor lights – even during the day.Do not use scented sprays to prepare for visitors. It is too obvious and many people find the smells of those sprays offensive, not to mention that some may be allergic. If you want to have a pleasant aroma in your house, have a potpourri pot or something natural. Minimize pets. If you have pets and you know someone is coming, take the pets with you or keep them penned in a single room while the homebuyers tour your home. Take out the trash.Make sure you empty the trash every time someone comes to look at your home – even if your trash can is kept under the kitchen sink.
Keep the house tidy and neat.Not everyone makes the bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, empty glasses and keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed. Try your best to have it look like a model home – a home with furniture but nobody really lives there.
Buying A Home
Browse Homes For Sale
Benefits of Owning Your Own Home
Income tax savings. All of the interest and property taxes you pay in a given year can be deducted from your gross income to reduce your taxable income.
Stable monthly housing costs. No worries about a landlord raising your rent with the price of inflation.When you purchase a home, you can lock in your interest rate and your payment will never increase.
Forced savings. Owning a home is an investment… You’re no longer throwing away your money on rent that you will never get back.Instead, a homeowner, will generally get back the price paid for a home.In addition, the value of your home can rise with the market – without rising payments.
Freedom and individuality. Homeownership gives you the freedom and individuality to make your house your home.You can finally paint your walls that vibrant red or and get rid of shag carpeting that your landlord would never allow. Important Things To Avoid Before Buying A Home
Personal finances. If you are considering the purchase of a home it is important to consider your finances and how a lender will view your financial situation.Consider the effects that changing jobs could have on your potential to get approved for a loan.Make sure you are able to show a steady consistent income.Don’t move money around too much or make any major purchase.It also is important for borrowers to bear in mind their debt-to-income ratios, as lenders will take this into consideration.
Making An Offer
Offer price. When determining an offer price, it is important to compare it to and ensure it is in line with other sales in public record, other pending transactions and other listings prices in the MLS (multiple listings service).Take property conditions and necessary home improvements into consideration.You wouldn’t want to pay top dollar for a home that you are going to have to sink $20,000 into right away.Also consider the seller’s motivation.If the seller doesn’t care if he/she sells the property, chances are you won’t get as good of a price as you could with a more motivated seller. Contingencies.When preparing an offer it is important to consider and capture the terms of your offer.Common terms include financing, the sale of an existing home, or an appraisal. Contingencies protect you in case you cannot or choose not to buy a home. If you cancel a contract without having built-in condintions, you could find yourself forfeiting your earnest money. Earnest money. Earnest money is a deposit you make with your offer. You want the "earnest money deposit" to be large enough to show the seller you are serious, but not so large you are placing significant funds at risk.Since large deposits tend to impress sellers, you may also find that by making a large deposit you can convince the seller to accept a lower offer. More money up front may save you money later. Disclosures from the seller.Although you have toured the home, the seller has years of knowledge about his or her home and there may be some thnigs you want to find out about as quickly as possible. For this reason, you should require certain disclosures as a part of your offer.
Basically, you want the seller to disclose any adverse conditions that may have a substantial impact on your decision to purchase the home. This would include any problems with the house, whether the property is in a flood zone, a noise zone, or any other kind of hazardous area.
Inspections. Besides appraisal and the termite inspection, you should also have a professional go through the house and seek out potential problems. Of course, you will have inspected the home, but you are not used to looking at some things that a professional will find. Even if they are not things the seller is expected to repair, at least you will have foreknowledge of any potential problems. Closing date.It is important to provide an estimated closing date in an offer so that all parties involved can plan for the closing and the transfer of possession.This will provide a timeframe for both parties to make adequate moving plans.The transfer of possession will not always occur simultaneously with the closing, but often follows closely.
There are numerous benefits of selling your property at auction.Licensed in Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, there is no auction is too big or too small.As a company with a reputation for getting the most money for you – the seller – Ken Juillerat Realty and Auction would welcome the opportunity to serve your auction needs.
No Prep
We go to work right away! No need to spend time and money making visible home improvements to impress perspective buyers.
Our preliminary marketing efforts and mailing lists draw large crowds.
All equipment needed at auction is provided by us.
No Hassle
No more negotiating with perspective buyers.
No contingencies.
Competitive bidding brings top dollar.
No Wait
No waiting for months or years for your property to sell.You set a predetermined time and date.