SPRING MARKET

SPRING MARKET UPDATE:

If you haven't noticed,  our real estate market is sizzling.....great market for sellers but "challenging" for buyers,  especially if buyers are in the "under-$400,000" range.   If a listing is priced right and shows well it sells instantly AND with multiple offers.  If it "doesn't" show well, but is priced below market,  it too sells instantly!  If you're a prospective seller,   be sure to have an impartial walk thru your home to make note of those scuff marks on the walls that may need attention,  weeds that need to be pulled,  rooms that need "de-cluttering"  and light bulbs that need to be brighter.  Sometimes we live day to day in our homes and really never notice what may need to be done if we're going to put our home on the market.  But a fresh coat of paint,  new vinyl or carpeting and clean windows can really make a difference!  I just planted some flowers in pots on my front porch and touched up a couple places that had some chipped paint AND added an American flag to my front porch and love the way it perks me up when I drive into my driveway!  Added color always livens up the front of a home to give it a little more curb appeal.  If you're unsure about how you can spruce up your home for very little $$$$,  ask your Realtor (or an unbiased and honest neighbor or friend) to come take a quick peek and give you some suggestions.  You might be amazed at how just a few minor changes can make a big difference.

When agents tour new listings on MLS tour or their office tour,  I am absolutely amazed when curtains are pulled and it's dark inside,  dishes are in the sink and weeds cluttering the flowerbeds.  It certainly doesn't give that good first impression.  Thankfully,  this isn't happening too much anymore.
We're seeing more and more homeowners who understand the value of "sprucing up" before going on the market.  No buyer wants to spend $400, $500,$600,000 and have to clean up the yard and refinish the hardwood floors or re-paint when they're spending that kind of money.  UNLESS, of course,  it's the least expensive home in the neighborhood and they're getting a fabulous buy!  In which case, they may be thrilled to take on this deferred maintenance.If you're thinking about making a move, "prepare"......especially if you want to get top dollar.

  Just last week when I went on a listing appointment for a seller who had recently passed away,  the heirs asked me what they could do to enhance the property in order to get the most money and make it as saleable as possible.  The home was built in the 50ies and was neat and tidy but "dated".  In this particular case, because there was not going to be a lot of equity,  I simply recommended they "streamline" the furnishings and remove a lot of the knick-knacks and family photos.  They had asked about perhaps remodeling the kitchen, but I recommended that they NOT do that, because the rest of the home had dated wallpapers and older carpeting.  You have to be careful not to take on a kitchen or bathroom remodel when you do nothing to the rest of the house.  Once you remodel the kitchen,  if there's old carpeting or old wallpapers in other rooms,  you'll feel like you need to re-do those rooms as well.  In which case you'll end up spending a lot more money than you may have budgeted or planned for.......not a good thing if your equity is limited.

There are lots of ways to enhance a property  within your budget.  So plan ahead and call your Realtor to see what may or may not benefit the sale. With springtime just around the corner,  more listings will be coming on the market and you'll want to make sure "your" home sparkles....when buyers come thru you'll want them to remember it.....for all the RIGHT reasons!