Should The Vendor / Tenant Be Present During House Viewings?

Showing your home can be a stressful experience for some - you have to keep it clean and ready, always looking its best, and you also have to consider where you'll be during the viewing.  Most people choose to leave the home, but if a viewing is arranged at the last minute and you don't feel you can leave, should you stay? 

Why it’s important to leave during viewings.

Most buyers prefer to look at a house while the current residents are out.  This is because it makes them feel more relaxed, since it's unusual enough to be walking through and examining a stranger's home.  It allows them to make observations and ask questions, which they might feel uncomfortable asking with the owner present.

Especially if you have a family, it can be really hard for people to get a good look at and feel for a house with you and your kids are around.  Leaving the house might be difficult sometimes, but allowing people to get the best possible look at your home means it's more likely they'll be interested in making an offer for it. Being close, but staying out of the way during a viewing can be beneficial; consider going out for a walk or drive, especially if you have kids who could get in the way.  You'll be nearby for questions and yet out of the way. 

It’s in your best interest.

You and your family can be a distraction for those who want to really get a good feel for the home - remember, they need to envision their family living there, not yours.  If you as the owner or in a rented the tenant absolutely must be present, then it is essential to stay out of the way as much as possible, and make sure the estate agent knows you would like to be helpful if there are questions - but stay away unless asked.  In other words give the professional estate agent the time and space to do their work it’s in your best interest to do so. 

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When Is The Right Time To Reduce The Price Of Your Property?

Every homeowner must set an asking price when listing their home on the market, but what happens when you don't receive any offers?  Just as it's important to know when it's time to sell, it's important to recognise the right time to reduce the price.

Supply & Demand

If a lot of homes are currently listed on the market or your home is overpriced, it may be time to consider a price reduction if you hope to stay competitive.  If five different stores sold your favourite furniture, what would motivate you to buy from one over the others?  If you are like most, the cost would be a leading factor.  The same is true with home buyers, who are looking to get the best value for their money.

Hurry Up & Wait

If your home has been listed on the market for what is considered to be a lengthy time for your area, it may be time to consider a price reduction.  This is especially true if you are in a hurry to sell, which may be the case if you are planning to purchase another house upon selling yours.  In some cases, a homeowner will make an offer on another house and that offer will be contingent upon selling their current home.  When this happens, the homeowner is likely to be in a hurry to sell so that they can honour the terms of their new agreement before it expires.  Selling a property can often be a waiting game, but sometimes it may be necessary to hurry up the process, through a price reduction, if you need to complete the sale.

Market Value Fluctuations

We all know how the market fluctuates.  If you own property you already know values can go up one year and go down the next.  If your house is currently listed and the property values have fallen, you may want to consider reducing the price in order to remain in the running with potential home buyers.  If your house is priced far above market value, most mortgage institutions would refuse to approve a loan for your asking price.  Getting a realistic valuation would be the best way to know how much your home is worth.

Recommendations

If you've already appointed an estate agent you will obviously trust him/her to guide you through the process of selling your home.  If your estate agent suggests a price reduction, it may be in your best interest to consider it.  Nobody knows the business like a professional working on a daily basis in the property market.  They know what buyers want and, in most cases, what they are willing to pay.  If you've trusted an estate agent enough to appoint them, trust them enough to value their opinion.  If not then approach an estate agent who specialises in the area where your property is located and get a second opinion on the advice.

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Can Changing A Bathroom Increase Your Home's Value?

When you are planning to sell your home, remodeling a bathroom may be one of the best places to increase your home's value.  Depending on the existing condition as well as the style and age of your home, here are a few things to consider before tearing out that sink!

Does The Bathroom Age The House?

It could be a pink toilet or patterned tiles, but if your answer to this is yes, then maybe remodeling can really make a difference.  Prospective buyers will look at this space as a liability rather than a feature, and this can decrease the value of your home.  It may also scare away buyers who are looking for a home that is in move-in condition.  The trick is to keep the new design modern, but timeless.  The white toilet will likely always be in style, and tiles made of natural or neutral materials will keep the space fresh.

Do The Features Match The Price?

Depending on the location of your home and the value of the property itself, it is important to match the features of the bathroom to the rest of the home in order to get the most value out of our investment.  Large homes with big price tags benefit from the bells and whistles of a large bathroom boasting a jacuzzi for instance, but you will likely not get your money back for this in a smaller home which attracts first-time buyers or those looking to down-size.

Does The Design Match The Home?

While you may love the look of the minimalist bathroom, if you own a period home in an old neighborhood, making this decision could cost you in the long term.  While you can get creative in designing a new space, keeping the style of the bathroom in the same overall style of the house will make potential buyers more likely to appreciate the investment you have put into the property.

Ultimately whenever making a decision to redesign a room in your home, the change has to work for you and your family.  Though you may not get back the investment of installing that Jacuzzi, if it is what you want then go for it!  Balancing these tips with your personal taste and needs can make any interior design a more pleasant experience.

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How To Price Your Home To Sell

In addition to location and condition, the asking price of a home is at the top of the list of important considerations.  When a potential buyer is looking for a property, they want to get the best possible value for their money.  This doesn't mean that a home should be priced too low, but it does mean that knowing how to price your home is a must.

Find Out What The Real Value Is

Regardless of whether you are in a buyer's market or seller's market, it's important for every vendor to know the actual value of their home with the help of an appraisal.  With this information, you will be able to choose a listing price and a strategy on how to achieve the home's value.  At the same time, you will know how to react to various offers that a potential buyer may make.  If you can select a price that is affordable to a range of buyers, you may receive multiple offers thereby sparking a possible competition among the interested parties.

Drill Down Into The Factors Affecting Price

A combination of factors including  recent selling prices for comparable homes in the area known as “comps” will enable your estate agent to give you the best advice on what asking price to set.  Other important factors include the year of construction, the square footage, extensions to the property, interior and exterior upgrades and additional features that make the home unique. 

Set A Realistic Timetable

In researching the sale price for other comparable homes in the area, you should also note the anticipated length of time your home will be on the market.  Some homes practically sell overnight, while others may remain on the market for months without being sold.  If you want to sell your home quickly, you should consider this when setting a price.  A bargain will obviously move quicker, but it's important to make enough from the sale to feel good about your choice.  If you aren't in a hurry to close, talk with your estate agent about a fair starting price that's at or near the appraised value of your home.

Ask Your Estate Agent For Advice About Your Purchase Too

While you hold the key, so to speak, to your house's actual asking price, most sellers will ask their estate agent for their opinion about their own purchase as well.  After all, property is their business and they will be working with you through every step of the process on both property transactions.  Be sure to choose an estate agent that will advise you on both and give consideration to the advice they offer. 

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Declutter Your Home In Ten Easy Steps

Step # 1: Set A Schedule

You are much more likely to stick to a routine, whatever it may be, if you work on a schedule.  In addition, this allows you to clean when you can minimize interruptions and maximize your time.

Step # 2: Set A Goal For Each Room

If you can visualize what you want, you will be better able to achieve it.  By setting goals for each room, you can note the things that need changing and work toward that goal one day at a time.

Step # 3: Create A Timeline

When do you hope to have your home completely free of clutter?  One week, two weeks or even a month?  Depending on your schedule and the amount of clutter that you have, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before you can kick back and relax again.

Step # 4: Start Small

The clutter in your home didn't appear overnight, and it won't disappear overnight either.  If you start small, you will be less likely to get frustrated and give up midway through your clean up.

Step # 5: Categorize Your Clutter

When cleaning, it's important to categorize your items into groups.  By separating the items that you want to keep, dispose of and donate, you will be able to move through your clutter quickly and efficiently.

Step # 6: Letting Go

A good rule of thumb for uncluttering your home is to get rid of anything that you haven't used within the past year.  If it's still useful, consider donating it to a good cause.  Otherwise, dispose of it.

Step # 7: Storing Your Clothing

When storing seasonal clothing, purchase a sturdy plastic storage bin with a lid and roll your clothes instead of folding them in an effort to maximize storage capability. 

Step # 8: Wardrobe Organization

Did you know that your choice of clothes hangers can greatly impact the storage capacity of your closet?  Wire hangers take up less space and can save your shirts from getting that annoying shoulder bump that often arises from the use of plastic hangers.

Step # 9: Shoes Blues

·         When it comes to storing shoes, many homeowners are fighting a losing battle with clutter.  How many pairs of shoes do you own?  How neatly are they stored?  If your shoe storage has you down, try purchasing clear lidded shoe boxes.  These handy creations can house each pair of shoes and can be stacked neatly in your closet.  And best of all, you can see your shoe collection without having to sift through a sea of sandals.

Step # 10: Read The Labels

If you have medicine, food or anything else with an expiration date in the home, check to make sure that the items are still good.  If the expiration date has already come and gone, throw them away. 

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7 Things To Consider Before Selling Your Home

So you have decided that you are going to sell your home.  While your home may work just as it is for you and your family and you don't want to invest any more time or money into your property, there are a few necessary steps that every homeowner should take in order to ensure that their home will sell quickly and at the highest price possible.

Contact An Estate Agent who can give you advice on what your property's potential value may be, what improvements your home needs to get the best price, and the best strategy to use to market your home.

Have Your Home Professionally Cleaned-While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, it can give your home that fresh appearance that really appeals to potential buyers.

Make All Necessary Minor Repairs-This is an inexpensive way to give your home a finished look and will convince potential buyers that the home is in good repair.  This includes fixing any damage to walls and ceilings, installing new faucets or lighting fixtures, and making any cosmetic changes to the kitchen and bathrooms that will give your property a modern appearance.

Clear The Clutter-Giving your home an open and clean appearance can definitely make a huge difference in attracting buyers.  Be sure you tidy any messy areas of the home, and depersonalise it by removing most photos and any items or collections that may distract buyers during open houses or while looking at photos of your home.

Look At Your Home From A Buyer's Perspective-Because you are used to it, sometimes you may not notice small imperfections or areas of your home that seem not to flow with the rest of the house.  Try to take a walk through your home and on your property with fresh eyes, and be as critical as you would be if you were looking to buy your home again.

Pay Attention To The Exterior-Don't forget the drive way and back garden, when making repairs to your property.  Your investment is always worth it, and creating appeal can really make a difference in attracting buyers.

Maybe Consider Some Major Renovations If Necessary-If your kitchen or bathroom is very outdated or in bad repair, or you have electrical, plumbing, or mold problems in your home, these are all issues that can really stall the sale of your property.  Fixing these problems will usually not only make your home sell more quickly, but will also usually increase the value of your home far beyond the expense associated with making the repairs in the first place. 

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