SHOWING YOUR HOME FOR SUCCESS 

Showing your home is an art. What is it that makes a buyer choose one home over another similarly priced property with the same amenities and in the same condition? Often the buyer will say that one home just “felt better”. How can you, as a seller, achieve an aesthetic advantage over other homes on the market?  

One secret is to create a positive emotional impact by appealing to the senses. Before your home is shown to a prospective buyer, turn on all the lights including lamps, open the curtains and make sure the heat is set at a comfortable temperature, between 68 and 72 degrees. If you have a gas fireplace, turn it on.  

Next, be aware of the sense of smell and the role it plays in creating ambience. Natural fragrances such as lemon or orange are always appealing. Use citrus scented cleaning products, toss orange or lemon rind into the disposal before a showing and consider a light spritz of a natural room spray. Avoid anything heavy, sweet or artificial.  

Finally, before a buyer arrives, turn off every noise-making device in your home with the exception of your music system. Soft instrumental music should be the only sound. If you have an answering machine rather than voice mail, make sure it is mute. Nothing breaks the spell like a personal message blaring over the speaker while a buyer is trying to envision living in your home!  

PREPARING TO MOVE 

There are few events in life more demanding than preparing for a move. The happy anticipation of living in your new home can be unceremoniously squelched when you begin to consider the effort of packing of your grandmother’s china or your rare record collection. But take heart: the initial anxiety can be significantly relieved when you follow a few simple measures.  

First of all plan ahead - way ahead. Careful planning can make the difference between a chaotic, hysterical moving day and an organized, easeful transition when the moving van arrives. Check and re-confirm the scheduled closing date. Make a list of all records that need to be transferred and utilities companies that must be notified. Take a long hard look at your possessions and then ruthlessly weed out everything you haven’t used in over a year. Next, have that obligatory garage sale which offers the double bonus of relieving you of more objects to pack and giving you cash to cover last-minute minor expenses. Remember that you’re paying someone to carry away everything you choose to take with you, and leave behind whatever will end up sitting in your new basement. Finally, make it fun. A moving party gives everyone an excuse to spend time with you while helping you prepare.  

USE A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR 

Choosing a property inspector should be a priority when you are looking for a home. A home inspection is one cost you should clearly anticipate. Seasoned buyers in particular often feel competent enough to conduct their own inspection and save a few dollars. However, “Do-it-yourself” inspections are ill advised.  

Professional inspectors have had the opportunity to analyze many different types of property. They are familiar with homes in varying states of age, repair, renovation and maintenance and have knowledge of current building codes and compliance regulations. In addition, they will be sensitive to undetected evidence that may indicate a serious condition. When you are ready to engage a professional assessor, look for someone licensed in a building-related field. General contractors, architects and structural engineers are all good choices. Inspectors are truly house detectives, recognizing and interpreting obscure, apparently unrelated information and then providing an informed evaluation. They must possess the ability to judge the severity and potential hazards of any condition and suggest a practical course of remedy. Avoid the “penny-wise, pound foolish” pitfall. A thorough inspection may cost you hundreds now but can save you thousands later.  

THE RIGHT TIME TO SELL 

The current strength of the real estate market and the general anticipation of high profits can easily tantalize today’s homeowner. If you are ready to sell your home, what factors should you keep in mind to make the sale the most advantageous?  

A foremost consideration for most people is the state of the economy and current market conditions. An experienced real estate agent is your best bet for accurately gauging existing market trends and making informed predictions. It is imperative to determine what type of market is currently active. In a “buyer’s market” there is a greater inventory of property available than there are people ready to purchase, so sellers are at a disadvantage. In a “seller’s market” there are more buyers than properties.  

Current low interest rates have kept the real estate market booming, encouraging and welcoming first time buyers. This presents a happy prospect for those ready to sell. Seasonality is a term real estate agents use to identify the times of the year when the market is expected to be the most active. Traditionally, people tend to move more in the late spring (after school break) and into late summer (before school resumes). However, you can make a sale in any season with the help of a real estate professional. 

AVOID OVERPRICING PITFALLS 

Determining the list price for your home once you are ready to sell is no small affair. Overpricing is a common blunder committed by many an anxious seller. With so much riding on the outcome of the sale, it’s a mistake easily made, but it can be a costly one. When shopping for a home, the majority of buyers consider the price first. Nothing sullies a property’s image more than seeing it languish on the market because it was initially overpriced. 

There are many reasons sellers mistakenly overprice their homes. Inadequate information and lack of experience cause many people to misinterpret market conditions. Perhaps the owner elected to make expensive improvements with the intention of increasing the property’s value, but the renovations cost more than the return on the investment. Or maybe the owner purchased the house at an inflated price and is trying to compensate for overpaying. Sometimes people choose to overprice their home with the intention of bargaining later. 

Since properties generate the most consumer interest when they first appear on the market, it is critical to rely on the expertise of a professional real estate agent, who can provide you with a comparative market analysis and help you determine a fair and competitive price for your home. 

BUYING A BRAND-NEW CONDOMINIUM 

What are the advantages of purchasing a new condominium instead of a converted or re-sale condo? First, buying a condo from the developer while it is under construction gives you the opportunity to customize your unit. You have the option to select suite wall and floor finishes, cabinets and fixtures in a pristine, untouched interior with modern fittings, countertop surfaces, contemporary lighting and brand-new appliances. 

Some developers are now offering condos that maximize the conservation of energy use through upgraded wall insulation, higher-quality windows and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that reduce utility costs. Public awareness of how construction materials and finishes affect the quality of our indoor air is motivating developers to use environmentally safe materials and systems in the construction of new condominium buildings. For example, individual units can be fitted with sophisticated ventilation systems that remove exhaust from the kitchen and bathrooms and distribute fresh air directly to each room. 

New condominium buildings usually come with desirable amenities such as high-speed Internet connections, larger spa-style Jacuzzi bathtubs, workout rooms equipped with weight-training equipment, whirlpool and dry sauna, and state-of-the-art security systems. 

Last but not least, new home warranty programs are often available for new condos. 

HOW REALTORS PROTECT THEIR CLIENTS 

Real estate professionals understand that buying or selling a home is a process in which most people feel especially vulnerable. One of the best reasons to use a realtor is that they are trained to protect the safety and security of their clients. 

A real estate agent who lists and promotes the sale of your home is experienced in working with the public and understands the importance of screening every person they invite into your house. A skilled realtor will not waste time showing your home unless they pre-determine that a buyer is actually qualified to make a solid offer. By accompanying potential buyers on the home tour, the realtor positions himself or herself in between the seller and the buyer, answering questions and conducting negotiations as the agent of sale. Many realtors are now asking to copy the driver’s license of a buyer before bringing him to your home. 

Marketing your home involves exposing it to the scrutiny of relative strangers. Experienced real estate agents often recommend that valuable items such as rare collectibles, statues or paintings be removed from a room before it is photographed for Internet advertising or shown to a prospective buyer. 

LUXURY HOMES SALES ASCEND TO NEW HEIGHTS 

According to international real estate executives, the recent sales history of luxury properties is over the top. Record sales of million-dollar homes were reported last year in many parts of the country – in New York’s Manhattan district, the number of homes that sold at above $10 million doubled compared to the previous year. What accounts for this remarkable activity? 

Part of the increase may be due to the rapid home price appreciation in major metropolitan areas, where more and more houses are being pushed into the seven-figure range. In the San Francisco Bay Area market, the median home price exceeds $650,000, which would qualify for the luxury designation in other, less affluent parts of the country.  

Real estate has also become a popular playing field for serious investors who want to park their capital on Park Place instead of investing in the not-so-reliable stock market. Such buyers want the best investment, and when a highly desirable multi-million dollar estate becomes available, they are ready to buy. People who can afford luxury homes aren’t as concerned about whether mortgage interest rates will increase, although they are as interested in getting a good deal as anyone. Primarily, they want a good investment and a great home. 

SELLING A HOME? DON’T DO THIS!  

Putting your home on the market is a major decision that carries a high stress factor. Sellers sometimes become emotionally overwhelmed from the pressure and make expensive mistakes. Here are some pitfalls to avoid when selling your home. 

Don’t fail to disclose defects in the property. Disclosure laws require you to reveal 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 hope to hide will tend to come to light.

Don’t make last-minute home improvements that may not add value. Remodeling takes time, will prolong the work of getting your home ready to show, and won’t necessarily please 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.

Don’t choose an agent because they suggest a higher price than others. 

Finally, don’t try to sell your home without help. As an experienced real estate agent I can help relieve your stress by guiding the transaction. 

DESIGN IDEAS THAT HELP SELL HOMES 

Today's real estate buyers have access to an unprecedented wealth of information about home design. They can take virtual tours of luxury homes on the Internet, read about the architectural feats of top designers in home design magazines and watch homes being re-designed, re-built and re-decorated every week on television. Competitive sellers need to align their homes to standards of taste set by the media, and this means simplicity. 

The approach to your front door will be inviting if it is immaculate. Landscaping is a must - plant some flowering bushes and strategically place potted trees or plants around the entrance if the yard looks bare. Walkways and stairs must be kept free of debris left by children or pets. Make sure windows and window coverings are sparkling clean. 

Inside the home, remove every trace of clutter you can find on counters, shelves and tables. This includes books and magazines, knick-knacks, toys, dishes, decorative items and even your precious collectibles. Minimalism is much preferable to over-decorating. The furniture, lamps, plants, rugs and decorative art items you place in each room should enhance the best features of the room's architecture, rather than distract the eye. Against a palette of light neutral wall shades, arrange the objects in each room as if you were designing a furniture showroom, and your home will make a favorable impression on buyers.