Carol Woods' Blog
The home selling journey varies from person to person. If an individual prepares for this journey, he or she may be better equipped than others to avoid problems along the way. On the other hand, an individual who is unprepared for the property selling journey may struggle to achieve the best-possible results.
There are many things that an individual can do to enjoy a memorable home selling experience. Now, let's take a look at three tips to help you prepare for the house selling journey.
1. Upgrade Your House's Curb Appeal
How your house looks to prospective buyers can have far-flung effects on your home selling experience. If you allocate time and resources to enhance your residence's curb appeal, you could make your house an attractive choice to dozens of potential buyers.
Upgrading your house's curb appeal can be simple. For example, mowing the lawn and trimming the hedges generally won't take long to complete and can help your residence impress potential buyers. You can always repair or replace any damaged home siding as well.
If you require additional help with home exterior upgrades, contractors are available in cities and towns nationwide. In fact, these professionals can help you quickly improve your residence's curb appeal.
2. Set a Competitive Initial Asking Price
It is important to establish a competitive initial asking price for your residence, regardless of whether you are operating in a buyer's or seller's market. Otherwise, you risk alienating potential buyers – something that may result in a time-intensive home selling journey.
To set a competitive initial asking price for your home, it may be beneficial to analyze local housing market data. Compare and contrast your home versus similar residences that are available in your city or town, and you can use these insights to price your residence accordingly.
In addition, you can hire a home appraiser before you list your house. A home appraiser will provide a property valuation that you can use to establish an aggressive price for your residence.
3. Hire a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent is a difference-maker during the home selling journey, and for good reason. This housing market professional understands what it takes to sell a home and will do whatever it takes to help you enjoy a fast, profitable house selling experience.
Perhaps best of all, a real estate agent will develop a personalized home selling strategy for you. Thus, if you want to sell your residence as quickly as possible, a real estate agent will help you do just that. Or, if you want to optimize the earnings from your house sale, a real estate agent will go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure you can get the best price for your house.
As you prepare to add your house to the real estate market, there is no need to worry. Take advantage of the aforementioned tips, and you can boost the likelihood of enjoying a seamless property selling experience.
If you're planning on making the transition from apartment renter to homeowner in the near future, you can be sure that the experience will be both exciting and challenging!
While some first-time home buyers are fairly well prepared for the changes that accompany homeownership, others encounter a myriad of unexpected expenses, neighbor problems, and household emergencies. Keeping surprises to a minimum and knowing how to handle difficulties when they come up are two strategies for keeping your life on an even keel in your new home.
When taking your initial plunge into homeownership, here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid problems and get the most from your new home.
Budgeting for expenses: When you're a renter or living with your parents, three things you generally don't have to concern yourself with are home repairs, appliance replacement, and yard maintenance costs. The longer list of homeowner expenses that could take a bite out of your paycheck or bank account includes furnace and AC services, chimney cleaning, snow removal, landscaping, exterminator services, plumbing leaks, and lighting installation. Many first-time home buyers also need to buy items like a lawn mower, clothes washer and dryer, and furniture. Although you can delay or spread out some of these expenses, they do need to be considered when creating a household budget.
Privacy is a factor: Depending on the proximity of houses, the openness of your yard, and the extent to which you want to get to know your neighbors, you might find yourself wanting to have some fencing installed or privacy hedges planted. Ideally, these are alterations you'd want to have done shortly after you move in -- if not before. That way, next door neighbors will have less of a tendency to take it personally when you erect barriers between you and them. And speaking of privacy, curtains and blinds are often a priority that needs to be taken care of immediately. While some homes for sale may include window treatments, there's a good chance your home decorating shopping list may include curtains!
Neighbor relations matter: If you happen to have neighbors who are easy going, relatively quiet, and likable, then consider yourself very fortunate! Being a good neighbor is, of course, a two-way street, so try to keep your noise level down to a "dull roar" and be the kind of neighbor you'd like them to be! That's no guarantee, of course, that everyone's going to get along famously and be the best of friends, but mutual respect and showing a modicum of friendliness to neighbors does help establish a cordial neighborhood atmosphere.
By creating a realistic household budget, being neighborly, and factoring in your need for privacy, you can begin setting the stage for a satisfying and fulfilling homeowner experience.
